Companies news of 2008-07-14 (page 1)
Fidelity National Information Services and Lender Processing Services To Report Second...
Novellus Systems Reports Second Quarter Results
RDM Corporation Announces Deal with Electronic Check ServicesElectronic Check Services...
Advantest Features Low-Cost High Performance RF and SoC Test Solutions at Semicon...
Advantest Debuts Industry's First Fully Integrated 12 GHz Quad-core Monolithic RF Module...
CSC Receives $391 Million EAGLE Task Order From Department of Homeland Security
New Xbox Experiences Reinvent Home Entertainment, and Everyone Is InvitedXbox 360 promises...
Xbox 360 Unveils Gameplay for Every PassionMicrosoft showcases groundbreaking approach to...
Harmonix, MTV Games and Electronic Arts Set to Rock the World Again With Rock Band(TM)2For...
MLB All-Star Game Has a New Player - Hop-on!
Verizon Wireless Applauds Cell Tax Fairness Act
Microsoft and Netflix Unveil Partnership to Instantly Stream Movies and TV Episodes to the...
CSC to Webcast First Quarter FY 2009 Earnings Teleconference
Harmonix and MTV Games Unveil Setlist for Rock Band(TM)2 - The Ultimate Music GameGame to...
Harmonix, MTV Games and EA To Ship Rock Band to Seven Additional Countries This...
China Information Security Technology, Inc. CEO Closes on Equity Transfer Agreement to...
Microsoft Sets the Record Straight
Nanophase Technologies Announces Rescheduling of Its Second Quarter 2008 Earnings Release...
Halifax Announces Investor Conference Call to be Held on July 16th
COMEDY CENTRAL Records(R) to Release New Mitch Hedberg CD 'Do You Believe in Gosh?' on...
Cablevision Adds Popular Programming From MTV Networks and BET Networks to Free Video on...
AT&T Delivers Live and On-Demand Performances From the Inaugural Mile High Music...
The Essential Accessories for Apple's iPhone(TM) 3G
Don Taylor Appointed Manager of US Operations
Exar Adds High Performance (15Mbps), Low Voltage & Power (1.62V) Octal UART Device...
Verizon Makes Digital Television Upgrade Easy for FiOS TV Customers in Maryland and...
/C O R R E C T I O N -- Microsoft Corp./In the news release, Microsoft (Nasdaq: MSFT)...
BB&T introduces new commercial deposit service to process cash, check deposits across...
NeuStar Schedules Conference Call and Webcast to Discuss Second Quarter 2008 Results
Fidelity National Information Services and Lender Processing Services To Report Second Quarter Earnings on August 5, 2008
JACKSONVILLE, Fla., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. and Lender Processing Services, Inc. will announce second quarter 2008 financial results after the close of regular market trading on Tuesday, August 5, 2008.
Management of both companies will host a joint earnings conference call beginning at 5:00 p.m. Eastern time on the same day. To access the live webcast, go to the Investor Relations section on FIS' homepage, http://www.fidelityinfoservices.com/ or LPS' homepage at http://www.lpsvcs.com/ . Research analysts and institutional investors wishing to participate via the conference call should dial 800-762-4832 (USA) or 480-248-5088 (International). A replay of the conference call will be available via webcast through the companies' respective websites shortly following the event, and via telephone beginning at approximately 7:00 pm Eastern time August 5, 2008, through August 12, 2008, by dialing 800-475-6701 (USA) or 320-365-3844 (International). The access code will be 953904.
About Fidelity National Information Services
Fidelity National Information Services, Inc. , a Fortune 500 company, is a leading provider of core processing for financial institutions; card issuer and transaction processing services; mortgage loan processing and mortgage-related information products; and outsourcing services to financial institutions, retailers and mortgage lenders. FIS has processing and technology relationships with 35 of the top 50 global banks, including nine of the top 10. FIS is a member of Standard and Poor's (S&P) 500(R) Index and has been ranked the number one overall financial technology provider in the world by American Banker and the research firm Financial Insights in the annual FinTech 100 rankings. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., FIS maintains a strong global presence, serving approximately 13,000 financial institutions in more than 80 countries worldwide. For more information on Fidelity National Information Services, please visit http://www.fidelityinfoservices.com/ .
About Lender Processing Services
Lender Processing Services, Inc. (LPS) is a leading provider of integrated technology and services to the mortgage industry. LPS offers solutions that span the mortgage continuum, including lead generation, origination, servicing, portfolio retention and default, augmented by the company's award- winning customer support and professional services. Approximately 50 percent of all U.S. mortgages are serviced using LPS' Mortgage Servicing Package (MSP). In fact, many of the nation's top servicers rely on MSP, including seven of the top 10 and 16 of the top 20. Headquartered in Jacksonville, Fla., LPS also offers proprietary mortgage and real estate data and analytics for the mortgage and capital markets industries. LPS is a member of the Standard & Poor's (S&P) 400(R) Index. For more information about LPS, please visit http://www.lpsvcs.com/ .
Fidelity National Information Services; Lender Processing Services
CONTACT: Mary Waggoner, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, of Fidelity National Information Services, +1-904-854-3282, mary.waggoner@fnis.com, or Parag Bhansali, Senior Vice President, Investor Relations, +1-904-854-2640, parag.bhansali@fnis.com, or Michelle Kersch, Senior Vice President, Marketing and Corporate Communications, +1-904-854-5043, michelle.kersch@fnis.com, both of Lender Processing Services
Web site: http://www.fidelityinfoservices.com/ http://www.lpsvcs.com/
Novellus Systems Reports Second Quarter Results
SAN JOSE, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Novellus Systems, Inc. today reported net sales and results of operations for its second quarter ended June 28, 2008. Net sales for the second quarter were $257.7 million, down $57.0 million or 18.1 percent from first quarter 2008 net sales of $314.7 million, and down $158.6 million or 38.1 percent from second quarter 2007 net sales of $416.3 million. Net loss for the second quarter was $2.4 million, or $0.02 per share, down $17.9 million from first quarter 2008 net income of $15.5 million, and down $59.7 million from second quarter 2007 net income of $57.3 million.
The second quarter 2008 results of operations include $13.6 million of impairment and severance charges as a result of strategic decisions to focus on our core products and reduce our cost structure going forward. Of these charges, $6.5 million are in cost of sales, $4.3 million are in research and development and $2.8 million are in selling, general and administrative. Second quarter 2008 net income without those items was $6.2 million or $0.06 per diluted share. Excluding certain unusual charges, first quarter 2008 and second quarter 2007 net income were $15.9 million and $57.5 million, respectively, or $0.16 and $0.45 per diluted share, respectively. A reconciliation of pro forma operating results to U.S. generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP") is included below.
Bookings in second quarter 2008 were $234.6 million, down $62.4 million or 21.0 percent from first quarter 2008 bookings of $297.0 million. Shipments of $240.3 million in second quarter 2008 decreased by $72.5 million or 23.2 percent from $312.9 million reported for the first quarter of 2008. Deferred revenue at the end of the second quarter was $95.7 million, a decrease of $20.0 million or 17.3 percent from $115.7 million at the end of the first quarter of 2008.
Cash, cash equivalents, investments and restricted cash as of June 28, 2008 were $708.7 million, an increase of $132.4 million or 23.0 percent from the first quarter 2008 ending balance of $576.4 million. During the second quarter 2008, we purchased approximately 0.5 million shares of our common stock, at an average price of $21.97 per share, for $10.0 million.
Management uses non-GAAP measures to evaluate operating performance. The presentation of net income excluding certain charges, and the discussion of revenue on a shipments basis are not in accordance with GAAP and may differ from non-GAAP methods of accounting and reporting used by other companies. We present net income on a pro forma basis, excluding certain charges, because we believe this helps both management and investors to assess the operating performance of our business by comparing it to prior periods on a more consistent basis. A reconciliation between our GAAP and non-GAAP results is provided in an attached table. Non-GAAP numbers are merely a supplement to, and not a replacement for, GAAP financial measures.
"We viewed these challenging business conditions as an opportunity to improve our operational excellence, continue execution of our product strategies, and capitalize on the market transition toward higher productivity mega-fabs aimed at lowering manufacturing costs for our customers," said Richard S. Hill, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. "We have introduced products over the last year which dovetail with these developing industry trends and while market share gains have been muted due to the cyclical downturn, we expect the gains will be magnified when we emerge from this current cycle."
"Safe Harbor" Statement Under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995:
This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, including the statements regarding (i) our continued plans to improve our operational excellence, continue to execute our product strategies and capitalize on the market transition toward higher productivity mega-fabs aimed at lowering manufacturing costs for our customers and (ii) our expectation that future gains due to the introduction of new products will be magnified when we emerge from the current market cycle, as well as other matters discussed in this news release that are not purely historical data, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that may cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, inability to sufficiently reduce our operational expenses, inefficiencies in the allocation of funds to our strategic product research and development efforts, unforeseen disruptions in production and manufacturing that may impact operational costs, inability to accurately predict the Company's ability to maximize its position within the semiconductor industry, and lack of improvement in industry conditions that negatively impact the semiconductor industry and other risks indicated in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2007 and our Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to such reports. Forward-looking statements are made and based on information available to us on the date of this press release. We do not assume, and expressly disclaim, any obligation to update this information.
About Novellus:
Novellus Systems, Inc. is a leading provider of advanced process equipment for the global semiconductor industry. The Company's products deliver value to customers by providing innovative technology backed by trusted productivity. An S&P 500 company, Novellus is headquartered in San Jose, CA with subsidiary offices across the globe. For more information please visit http://www.novellus.com/.
NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(In thousands,
except per
share
amounts) June 28 March 29 June 30 June 28 June 30
(Unaudited) 2008 2008 2007 2008 2007
Net sales $257,740 $314,713 $416,335 $572,453 $813,309
Cost of
sales 146,777 169,773 208,225 316,550 410,290
Gross
profit 110,963 144,940 208,110 255,903 403,019
% 43.1% 46.1% 50.0% 44.7% 49.6%
Operating
expenses:
Selling,
general
and
admini-
strative 62,530 60,329 72,011 122,859 139,111
Research
and devel-
opment 59,815 57,340 63,374 117,155 123,774
Total
operating
expenses 122,345 117,669 135,385 240,014 262,885
% 47.5% 37.4% 32.5% 41.9% 32.3%
Income (loss)
from
operations (11,382) 7,271 72,725 15,889 140,134
% (4.4)% 8.7% 17.5% 2.8% 17.2%
Other income,
net 4,916 1,109 14,597 6,025 25,704
Income (loss)
before income
taxes (6,466) 28,380 87,322 21,914 165,838
Provision
(benefit)
for income
taxes (4,081) 12,851 29,977 8,770 54,710
Net income
(loss) $(2,385) $15,529 $57,345 $13,144 $111,128
Net income
(loss) per
share:
Basic $(0.02) $0.15 $0.46 $0.13 $0.90
Diluted $(0.02) $0.15 $0.45 $0.13 $0.88
Shares used
in basic per
share
calculation 98,202 100,683 123,788 99,429 123,887
Shares used
in diluted
per share
calculation 98,202 101,375 126,630 100,131 126,792
NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME
(EXCLUDING CERTAIN CHARGES) (1)
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(In thousands,
except per
share
amounts) June 28 March 29 June 30 June 28 June 30
(Unaudited) 2008 2008 2007 2008 2007
Net income
excluding
certain
charges: $6,209 $15,867 $57,526 $22,076 $111,382
Impairment
of
inventory
and
evaluation
systems (6,426) - - (6,426) -
Write down
of certain
research
and
devel-
opment
assets (3,761) - - (3,761) -
Reductions
in
workforce (3,405) (618) (275) (4,023) (379)
Total
charges
(2) (13,592) (618) (275) (14,210) (379)
Tax effect
of the
above
charges 4,998 280 94 5,278 125
Net income
(loss) $(2,385) $15,529 $57,345 $13,144 $111,128
Net income
per diluted
share
excluding
certain
charges (3): $0.06 $0.16 $0.45 $ 0.22 $ 0.88
Impairment
of inventory
and
evaluation
systems (0.06) - - (0.06) -
Write down
of certain
research and
development
assets (0.04) - - (0.04) -
Reductions
in
workforce (0.03) (0.01) (0.00) (0.04) (0.00)
Tax effect
of the above
charges 0.05 0.00 0.00 0.05 0.00
Net income
(loss) per
diluted share $(0.02) $0.15 $0.45 $ 0.13 $ 0.88
(1) The reconciliation of net income (excluding certain charges) is
intended to present our operating results, excluding certain charges
and related adjustments on provisions for income taxes. The
reconciliation of net income is not in accordance with or an
alternative for GAAP and may be different from similar measures by
other companies.
(2) Of the these charges, $6.5 million and $6.5 million are in cost of
sales, $4.3 million and $4.4 million are in research and development
and $2.8 million and $3.3 million are in selling, general and
administrative for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008,
respectively. The impairment of inventory and evaluation systems is a
result of strategic business decisions to focus on our core products.
For the three months ended June 30, 2007, $0.1 million is in research
and development and $0.2 million is in selling, general and
administrative. For the six months ended June 30, 2007, $0.1 million
is in cost of sales, $0.1 million is in research and development and
$0.2 million is in selling, general and administrative.
(3) Diluted net income per share calculations were performed using diluted
shares of 98,915 for the three months ended June 28, 2008.
NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.
SCHEDULE OF SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Three Months Ended Six Months Ended
(In
thousands) June 28 March 29 June 30 June 28 June 30
(Unaudited) 2008 2008 2007 2008 2007
(1) (2) (3) (1) (3)
Cost of sales $799 $617 $565 $1,417 $1,075
Selling, general
and
administrative 5,253 5,256 5,248 10,508 10,945
Research and
development 2,422 2,550 3,107 4,972 6,002
Total
share-based
compensation
expenses 8,474 8,423 8,920 16,897 18,022
Benefit from
income taxes 2,199 2,154 2,080 4,353 4,356
Net
share-based
compensation
expenses $6,275 $6,269 $6,840 $12,544 $13,666
(1) Amounts include compensation expense related to stock options of $4.4
million and $8.8 million, employee stock purchase plan of $0.6 million
and $1.4 million, and restricted stock awards of $3.5 million and $6.7
million for the three and six months ended June 28, 2008,
respectively.
(2) Amounts include compensation expense related to stock options of $4.4
million, employee stock purchase plan of $0.8 million, and restricted
stock awards of $3.2 million.
(3) Amounts include compensation expense related to stock options of $5.0
million and $9.9 million, employee stock purchase plan of $0.9 million
and $1.4 million, and restricted stock awards of $3.1 million and $6.7
million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2007,
respectively.
NOVELLUS SYSTEMS, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(In thousands) June 28 December 31
2008 2007
(Unaudited) *
ASSETS
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents and
short-term investments $428,806 $596,766
Accounts receivable, net 218,312 346,866
Inventories 229,116 212,995
Restricted cash and cash equivalents,
current 166,193 -
Deferred taxes and other current assets 60,440 67,331
Total current assets 1,102,867 1,223,958
Property and equipment, net 298,287 320,009
Restricted cash and cash equivalents 3,673 161,050
Investments 110,069 -
Goodwill 246,582 238,944
Intangible and other assets 119,460 132,982
Total assets $1,880,938 $2,076,943
LIABILITIES AND SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable and accrued liabilities $189,881 $275,448
Deferred profit 41,486 52,252
Current debt obligations 152,560 1,509
Total current liabilities 383,927 329,209
Long-term debt 1,447 143,267
Long-term income taxes payable 27,846 27,408
Other liabilities 45,676 47,972
Total liabilities 458,896 547,856
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock 1,173,198 1,219,533
Retained earnings and accumulated
other comprehensive income 248,844 309,554
Total shareholders' equity 1,422,042 1,529,087
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity $1,880,938 $2,076,943
* The December 31, 2007 condensed consolidated balance sheet was derived
from our audited consolidated financial statements.
Novellus Systems, Inc.
CONTACT: Jeffrey C. Benzing, Chief Administrative Officer, or Investor Relations, Robin Yim, both of Novellus Systems, Inc., +1-408-943-9700
Web site: http://www.novellus.com/
RDM Corporation Announces Deal with Electronic Check ServicesElectronic Check Services enters agreement to resell RDM's Image and Transaction Management System (ITMS(R)) suite of electronic check conversion software products including Simply Deposit(TM)Toronto Stock Exchange Symbol: RC
WATERLOO, ON, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- RDM Corporation (TSX: RC), a leading developer of specialized software and hardware products for electronic payment processing, announced today that it has teamed with Electronic Check Services (ECS) to resell RDM's electronic check conversion software and hardware products. ECS will now be able to provide remote deposit capture capabilities to its existing and potential customers enabling them to electronically deposit checks. The RDM software is bank agnostic so merchants will not be required to change their existing banking relationships.
"We are very pleased to be working with ECS to sell our Remote Deposit Capture (RDC) products through the ISO sales channel," said Douglas Newman, President and Chief Executive Officer of RDM Corporation. "ECS is a rapidly growing firm and we look forward to assisting them in servicing their existing customers as well as in securing new business with our industry leading products. We believe our new Simply Deposit(TM) product that was designed specifically for small business will be especially well received." Newman further stated, "RDM is uniquely positioned to be able to provide an end to end check electronification platform as we can provide both the hardware and software required."
Derron Winfrey, President ECS said, "We are working closely with RDM to add a full service element for our customers. Our programming teams are completing an interface allowing us to showcase our ACH abilities as well as interfacing with our proprietary National Database and three stage collections process. Utilizing RDM's ability to capture and process items from the back office combined with ECS's abilities in database customization and check recovery will give our merchants a complete check conversion system. Offering Remote Deposit Capture will not only allow them to electronically deposit checks without needing to go to the bank branch to make a deposit, but provide them with complete recovery management for items that do not clear upon the initial presentment. This will save them time and money and give them faster availability of funds from those deposits."
About RDM Corporation
RDM Corporation is headquartered in Waterloo, Ontario and trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol RC. RDM is a leading provider of specialized software and hardware products for electronic payment processing. RDM has pioneered electronic check conversion systems and web based image and transaction management services for banks, retailers, payment processors and government agencies as well as print quality control and image quality systems for a variety of global customers. For further information, visit RDM's website at http://www.rdmcorp.com/.
About Electronic Check Services
Electronic Check Services, Inc was established in 1997 in Springfield, Missouri as a privately held corporation, which it remains today. ECS provides the latest in Check Processing, Prepaid Services, Bill Payment, Gift Card and Loyalty programs to thousands of retail locations Nationwide.
ECS boasts a tremendous point of sale program. ECS allows the unique ability to provide Check Processing, Prepaid, Bill Payment, Gift Cards and Loyalty in not just one terminal but one program making this program very exciting and extremely profitable for their merchants and their ISO channel. This powerful, yet easy to use program creates the bottom line results the industry has been waiting for. For further information, visit Electronic Check Services Web site at http://www.electroniccheckservices.com/.
This news release contains forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are based on estimates and assumptions made by RDM in light of its experience and its perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors that RDM believes are appropriate in the circumstances. Many factors could cause RDM's actual results, performance or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. Risk factors relating to RDM are discussed in the Risks and Uncertainties section of RDM's Annual Information Form and year-end Management's Discussion and Analysis. These factors should be considered carefully, and readers should not place undue reliance on RDM's forward-looking statements. RDM has no intention and undertakes no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.
RDM Corporation
CONTACT: Douglas Newman, President & CEO, RDM Corporation, (519) 746-8483, (519) 746-3317 fax, dnewman@rdmcorp.com; James Merwin, Chief Financial Officer, RDM Corporation, (519) 746-8483, (519) 746-3317 fax, jmerwin@rdmcorp.com
Advantest Features Low-Cost High Performance RF and SoC Test Solutions at Semicon WestIntroduces Fully Integrated RF Test Cell Solution and demonstrates new, compact, cost effective, SoC Test Solution for Digital Consumer and Mixed-Signal ICs
SAN FRANCISCO, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advantest Corporation , the world's leading supplier of semiconductor test equipment, is introducing its new, high- performance RF test cell solution at Semicon West, and is also demonstrating its new compact test solution for cost sensitive consumer devices. In its booth #7447 West, Advantest will also feature its suite of memory solutions for high-productivity, low cost-of-ownership engineering and manufacturing applications. Semicon West is being held from July 15-17 at San Francisco's Moscone Center.
Long the established leader in parallel test technology, Advantest is now applying its multi-disciplined expertise in test cell technology to revolutionize test in the SoC arena. Leveraging from decades of experience and a significant global installed base of test-cells, Advantest has now upped the performance standards for SoC test with the industry's only single, monolithic, highly parallel, turn-key test cell solution for RF and cost-sensitive consumer SoCs. The only ATE company which designs and manufactures its own handlers, interfacing, and testers, Advantest stands alone in offering customers a fully integrated, high-performance SoC test cell solution that significantly lowers the cost of test for today's complex consumer ICs.
Advantest's introduction of a turn-key RF test cell solution offers the industry a new paradigm of test for today's demanding RF devices. Advantest's turnkey, highly parallel solution is comprised of the new T2000 LS mainframe and new 12GHz RF module along with its new M4841 state-of-the-art handler and a unique low noise, highly parallel DUT interface, yielding a complete test cell optimized for quad-device RF parallel testing. Customers can benefit from Advantest's significant experience in testers, handler, and interface design to speed deployment of challenging RF test solutions significantly reducing risk and time to volume. This test-cell solution provides the industry's lowest cost of ownership for multi-site RF production testing.
Also at Semicon West, Advantest is showcasing its compact T2000 GS mainframe solution which is designed to lower the cost-of-test of SoC devices used in digital consumer, RF and mixed-signal products. The compact solution, which debuted at Semicon Japan in December 2007, incorporates the newly developed T2000 GS mainframe, together with new air-cooled 250MDMA digital test module, which includes a high-performance hardware histogram capability to enable a very high-speed parallel SOC test solution with a very low cost- of-test.
Industry's first 12GHz monolithic module with quad density RF signal generators and analyzers
Advantest's T2000 open-architecture SoC test system offers unparalleled flexibility and a wide spectrum of modules to provide customers the lowest cost of ownership for device testing today and into the future. Advantest's new RF module is the ATE industry's first fully integrated 12 GHz monolithic module, boasting 36-port quad-core RF signal generators and analyzers to speed time to market. With an ability to test up to 4 RF devices in parallel, this air-cooled, quad-DUT "out of the box module," affords customers an unmatched cost of test advantage. Additional modules can be added within a single test head as needed. Furthermore, with 32 RF pins per module, each with access to high performance VSG and VSA supporting 40 MHz of complex modulation bandwidth, this module offers the industry's highest RF pin density for addressing multi-DUT, multi-band transceivers and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) device architectures in both single and multi-site test configurations.
Addressing consumer market demands with high-parallel, compact test solution
Consumer devices such as microcontrollers, and those used in hand-held gadgets including cell phones and personal audio products, continue to increase in functionality while experiencing significant price erosion, To combat this trend, device manufacturers have been calling for an efficient, low-cost test solution capable of addressing the manufacturing requirements of both high-mix, low-volume and general purpose SoC devices. Advantest's new T2000 Compact Test Solution responds to this need.
Advantest offers a wide range of high-end to mid-range SoC consumer device test solutions through its T2000 test system series. The latest mainframe addition to the T2000 test system family is the new GS mainframe. Its small compact design, air-cooled test head, and single phase power maximize floor space and power valued in both development and high-volume production. Together with the new air-cooled 250MDMA digital test module, this solution enables low cost high-parallel testing of SoC devices. This high-density packaging 250MDMA module technology offers 128 channels per module at test speeds of 250Mbps. The GS mainframe supports up to 32-device parallel testing with even higher site counts available with other T2000 mainframes.
R. Keith Lee, president and CEO of Advantest America, says, "Our customers in the RF and consumer SoC segments of the industry are calling for reliable, accurate high-volume test solutions for devices that are both complex and dense. They face continual demands to lower test costs to keep pace with the downward pricing pressures that characterize the current market environment. Advantest is able to meet customers' needs by leveraging the strengths of our test cell technology and product offerings. Advantest stands alone as a single vendor for turn-key, high-performance test cells. The company's long history of delivering technically superior, cost-effective test cell solutions in the memory market, has paved the way for a transition to the SoC arena, where diverse engineering and applications resources give Advantest significant technology to draw upon."
Advantest is also participating in the SEMI TechXPOT technology session addressing Testing Increased Functional Complexity, on Wednesday, July 16. Anthony Lum, an Advantest America SoC Product Engineer, will discuss "Breaking the Barriers to RF Multi-DUT Tests" in his presentation.
About Advantest
Advantest Corporation is the world's leading supplier of automatic test equipment (ATE) to the semiconductor industry. Advantest's SoC, logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers and device handlers are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor fabrication lines in the world. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its North American subsidiary in 1982 and its European subsidiary in 1984. More information is available at http://www.advantest.com/.
Semicon West Booth No. 7447
Advantest Corporation
CONTACT: Amy Gold of Advantest America, Inc., +1-212-850-6670, a.gold@advantest.com
Web site: http://www.advantest.com/
Advantest Debuts Industry's First Fully Integrated 12 GHz Quad-core Monolithic RF Module and Turnkey RF Test Cell Solution at Semicon WestUnparalleled flexibility provides lowest cost of ownership for multi-site production testing
SAN FRANCISCO, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Advantest Corporation , the world's leading supplier of semiconductor test equipment, is introducing its new 12GHz RF test cell solution at Semicon West and demonstrating a new 12GHz RF module for the T2000 open-architecture SoC test system. Advantest will exhibit its products and technology in West Hall booth 7447, on July 15 through 17, at San Francisco's Moscone Center. Advantest's new, powerful RF test cell consists of the T2000 LS mainframe configured with the new 12GHz RF module and integrated with the M4841 Handler, using a unique low noise parallel interface that offers the industry's only single-vendor, quad-site parallel testing environment.
The RF test cell solution from Advantest incorporates the ATE industry's first fully integrated 12 GHz quad-core monolithic test module. Currently capable of testing 4 RF devices in parallel, this air-cooled, parallel, quad-DUT module affords manufacturers an unmatched cost of test advantage. Furthermore, with 32 RF pins, each with access to high performance VSG and VSA supporting 40 MHz of complex modulation bandwidth, this module offers the industry's highest RF pin density for addressing multi-DUT, multi-band transceivers and Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO) device architectures. The tester and handler are integrated into a test cell with proprietary interface design that optimizes performance, maintainability, functionality and throughput for superior cost of ownership performance.
At Semicon, Advantest will demonstrate its multi-DUT RF solution enabling tools through a high-speed link with its Gunma facility, on a remote WiMAX quad-DUT device.
Turnkey RF test cell solution redefines "high-volume" manufacturing
Advantest's new RF test cell solution is unique for its single-vendor tester-handler integration, bringing a highly parallel, high-performance, turn-key manufacturing test solution to RF device manufacturing. The RF test cell solution has a number of uniquely optimized features that offer semiconductor designers, manufacturers and assembly-test companies high performance, high accuracy, and turn-key ease of use at low cost of test.
-- Highest density RF module instrumentation at 32-12GHz ports routed to 4-vectored sources and receivers allows dedicated resources to every complex RF SOC device pin.
-- Scalability to an unprecedented 128 RF ports and 16-vectored sources and receivers.
-- Multi-site innovation and patent pending RF shielding to improve yield.
-- 36 port quad-core RF simplifies correlation provides faster time to market.
-- Plug-n-Play high-performance site isolator module supports volume production.
-- ATE industry's first fully integrated 12 GHz quad-core monolithic RF module.
-- Optimized handler-tester connectivity for superb uptime, reliability and ease of use.
-- OPENSTAR(R)-compliant open test system architecture and the latest pick-and-place handler technology providing flexibility and scalability that leverage ATE investment while meeting the challenges of testing complex, sophisticated ICs.
-- An extremely compact ATE footprint, resulting in real estate and operating savings.
Tester/Handler Characteristics
OPENSTAR(R) compliant and designed for compactness and modularity, Advantest's T2000 LS mainframe is a low-cost test system for today's high-functionality SoC consumer devices. Demand is ongoing and growing for analog, digital and mixed signal devices that provide features and mobile communications for increasingly sophisticated consumer electronics as well as automotive, medical, transportation and other infrastructure applications. These highly sophisticated, densely designed integrated circuits (ICs) and the fast-paced, price-sensitive markets they target, require test solutions that meet their technical challenges as well as their cost challenges. Advantest designed the T2000 LSMF and its entire test cell solution to meet these needs.
The test head of the LS mainframe is designed to accommodate different modules for the varied applications needed to test complex SoCs. Offering high-speed analog, digital and RF test capability to perform highly parallel testing of complex SOC devices, Advantest's new solutions deliver significant cost reductions and a smaller footprint, together with greater performance and versatility.
Rounding out the test cell is Advantest's M4841 Dynamic Handler. Offering industry-leading high-throughput handling for volume testing of consumer devices such as MCUs and DSPs, the handler supports complex ICs and their advanced packaging technologies, including BGA, CSP and QFP. The M4841 is capable of parallel testing up to 16 devices and delivers a high throughput of 18,500 devices-per-hour.
About Advantest
Advantest Corporation is the world's leading supplier of automatic test equipment (ATE) to the semiconductor industry. Advantest's SoC, logic, memory, mixed-signal and RF testers and device handlers are integrated into the most advanced semiconductor fabrication lines in the world. Founded in Tokyo in 1954, Advantest established its North American subsidiary in 1982 and its European subsidiary in 1984. More information is available at http://www.advantest.com/.
Advantest Corporation
CONTACT: Amy Gold of Advantest America, Inc., +1-212-850-6670, a.gold@advantest.com
Web site: http://www.advantest.com/
CSC Receives $391 Million EAGLE Task Order From Department of Homeland Security
FALLS CHURCH, Va., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CSC announced today that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has awarded the company a task order to provide secure managed data center services. The contract has a six-month base period and six one-year options. A two-year option may be exercised in place of the sixth one-year option, bringing the estimated total contract value to $391 million. The DHS awarded the task to CSC under the Enterprise Acquisition Gateway for Leading Edge Solutions (EAGLE). CSC was one of several large businesses awarded an EAGLE contract on June 29, 2006, which was announced by CSC shortly thereafter. The value of the award was included in a subsequent fiscal 2007 press release of unidentified and previously unannounced federal awards.
Under the task order, CSC will provide information technology (IT) managed services, including consolidation, transformation and virtualization, in support of the operation and maintenance of the primary DHS data center at NASA's Stennis Space Center. This work expands upon CSC's existing work in Mississippi and is part of the Department's consolidated IT Infrastructure Transformation Program, which will ultimately enable the DHS to effectively consolidate its data centers into two enterprise-wide locations. In addition, CSC will assess DHS component agency applications as the Department prepares to migrate to the Stennis data center.
"For this key program, CSC is providing the full depth and breadth of our corporate expertise in support of DHS's critical mission to protect our nation," said James W. Sheaffer, president of CSC's North American Public Sector business unit. "CSC looks forward to further supporting the Stennis community and the important role it plays in national security."
About CSC
CSC is a leading IT services company. CSC's mission is to be a global leader in providing technology-enabled business solutions and services.
With approximately 90,000 employees, CSC provides innovative solutions for customers around the world by applying leading technologies and CSC's own advanced capabilities. These include systems design and integration; IT and business process outsourcing; applications software development; Web and application hosting; and management consulting. Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., CSC reported revenue of $16.5 billion for the 12 months ended March 28, 2008. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.csc.com/.
CSC
CONTACT: Michelle Herd, Senior Manager, Communications, North American Public Sector, +1-703-205-6186, mherd@csc.com, or Mike Dickerson, Director, Media Relations,Corporate, +1-310-615-1647, mdickers@csc.com, or Bill Lackey, Director, Investor Relations, Corporate, +1-310-615-1700, blackey3@csc.com, all of CSC
Web site: http://www.csc.com/
New Xbox Experiences Reinvent Home Entertainment, and Everyone Is InvitedXbox 360 promises best and broadest entertainment lineup ever; more fun, social and simple-to-use experience.
LOS ANGELES, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- As Xbox 360 readies for the next wave of audience expansion, Microsoft Corp. today announced a new Xbox experience that will reinvent home entertainment from the inside out, changing the way we play games, watch movies and TV shows, and even become contestants in game shows. It all begins this fall with a bold new look and feel that is fun, social and simple to use.
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The announcement was made during the E3 Media and Business Summit in Los Angeles. It came amid the unveiling of an exclusive partnership with Netflix Inc. that will give Xbox 360 users instant access to more than 10,000 feature films and television shows with a click of a button.
Also on the docket: The best and broadest entertainment lineup the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system has ever seen. In its strongest broadening play yet, Xbox announced Xbox LIVE Primetime, the next evolution in game shows slated for Xbox LIVE this fall; TV shows and movies from world leaders in entertainment including NBC Universal, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, SCI FI Channel and USA Network domestically and Constantin and MGM internationally; and blockbuster games "Lips," "Rock Band 2," "Scene It? Box Office Smash," "You're in the Movies" and the much anticipated "Final Fantasy XIII."
"We're entering a new age in entertainment, and Xbox 360 is uniquely positioned to become the heart of the living room," said Don Mattrick, senior vice president for the Interactive Entertainment Business at Microsoft. "The new Xbox experience offers more content than you can find from any device that connects to the television. That convergence of entertainment and gaming will bring new people and more families to the category, driving a record year for the games industry."
"This year more than any other, Xbox 360 has something for everyone - whether you love playing games with friends or are simply looking for the best in entertainment," Mattrick said.
Netflix Jumps In With Entertainment for Everyone
The exclusive partnership offers Netflix subscribers the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the television via the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. Xbox 360 will be the only game console to offer this movie-watching experience, available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers at no additional cost.
From the Netflix Web site, subscribers simply add movies and TV episodes to their instant Queue, which will appear automatically on the TV screen via Xbox 360. Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds. In addition to instantly streaming Netflix movies to the TV, Xbox LIVE Gold members can browse and rate movies, fast-forward, pause and rewind, all using either their Xbox 360 Controller or remote.
Netflix on Xbox 360 will launch this fall with the release of the new Xbox experience, a new generation of games and entertainment experiences that will be available for Xbox 360 this fall.
The New Xbox Experience
The new Xbox experience represents the first time in history that a mass market consumer electronics device has been reinvented through free software, giving people more fun and intuitive ways to interact, play and enjoy entertainment.
"Xbox LIVE is the world's fastest-growing online social network on TV," said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Services Business at Microsoft. "We doubled our membership the past two years, growing from 3 million to 6 million, and then from 6 million to 12 million. And today, we are adding a new member every five seconds. With the best and broadest social entertainment experiences launching this fall, the future is limitless."
Some of the features that make the new Xbox experience groundbreaking are the following:
-- Entertainment without limits. With LIVE Party, bring your favorite games, TV shows, movies and pictures to life by sharing those experiences with friends, wherever they are around the world.
-- Express yourself. With the new Xbox 360 experience, gamers can personalize their entertainment like never before. They can create their own avatar, designed exclusively by Rare Ltd., and jump into a party with friends from around the world.
-- "Must See TV" and much, much more. The biggest names in entertainment worldwide, such as Netflix, NBC Universal, Universal Studios Home Entertainment, SCI FI Channel, USA Network, Constantin and MGM are bringing their content to Xbox 360.
360 Degrees of Entertainment
The 2008 Xbox 360 entertainment lineup of games, movies and TV shows is its best and broadest ever. Whether for fans of action, role-playing, racing, sports, strategy, party or action-adventure games, Xbox 360 has the biggest blockbusters and the most exclusive content in 2008 and beyond:
-- The new game show. The new Xbox LIVE channel Xbox LIVE Primetime represents an all-new way to play. A collection of virtual game shows such as "1 vs. 100," Xbox LIVE Primetime allows thousands of gamers to become contestants from their living rooms, playing together simultaneously, live with content that is always fresh and relevant. The global phenomenon "1 vs. 100" is created by Endemol, the world's largest independent production company and the producer of the hit show "Deal or No Deal." Xbox LIVE Primetime is available in North America, France, Germany and the U.K.
-- Blockbusters. "Final Fantasy XIII" will be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe. Xbox 360 is the only place gamers can play the year's biggest games, such as "Gears of War 2," "Resident Evil 5," "Fable II" and exclusive "Grand Theft Auto IV" episodes.
-- Music. Xbox 360 is the preferred stage for all the best music games, including "Lips," "Rock Band 2," "Guitar Hero World Tour" and "DanceDanceRevolution(R) UNIVERSE3."
-- Family. Xbox 360 gets the whole family playing with titles such as "Banjo Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts," "Scene It? Box Office Smash" and "Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise."
-- Sports. Xbox 360 remains the best place to play sports titles, including leading franchises like "Madden NFL," "Tiger Woods PGA Tour," "NBA Live," "NHL 2K" and more.
-- TV and movie entertainment. Xbox is home to the best TV and movie entertainment, including exclusive games such as "You're in the Movies" and "1 vs. 100," exclusive films and TV from Netflix, and the world's largest online library of on-demand high-definition TV shows and movies.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest games plus more standard and high-definition movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. The digital center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, including personal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects more than 12 million members across 26 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV shows and movies in the United States as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
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Microsoft Corp.
CONTACT: Evan Parker, +1-323-202-1052, evan.parker@edelman.com, or Lana Odintsova, +1-206-505-6565, lana.odintsova@edelman.com, both of Edelman, for Microsoft Corp.
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
Xbox 360 Unveils Gameplay for Every PassionMicrosoft showcases groundbreaking approach to game shows; 'Final Fantasy XIII' to be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe.
LOS ANGELES, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Music, movies and megahits. No matter what kind of game makes your heart race, today at the E3 Media and Business Summit (E3) in Los Angeles the world of Xbox 360 just got bigger, broader and more exciting than ever.
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Microsoft Corp. today unveiled a games portfolio for all ages and interests. Included were new titles for music lovers such as "Lips" and the exclusive launch of "Rock Band 2"; family-friendly games from the B-movie maker "You're in the Movies" to next-generation game shows such as "1 vs. 100"; and even surprise announcements to make the hardest-core gamer weak in the knees, with the reveal of "Final Fantasy XIII," to be available on Xbox 360 at launch in North America and Europe.
"Xbox 360 delivers entertainment choices so broad that it now rivals what people can find on television and at movie theaters," said Shane Kim, corporate vice president of strategy and business development with Microsoft's Interactive Entertainment Business. "Whether it's sports, music, movies, game shows or great games you crave, Xbox 360 is home to the biggest and best out there. From those new to games and eager to jump in, to the hardcore gamer looking for the most intense games experiences, this is truly the year to own an Xbox 360 system."
The New Game Show Experience, Live From Your Living Room
Xbox LIVE Primetime is a groundbreaking channel on the new Xbox experience, a new generation of games and entertainment experiences that will be available this fall for Xbox 360. The world's biggest virtual game show stage, Xbox LIVE Primetime is a place where content is always fresh; play is global, live and massively multiplayer; and prizes are plentiful. A first-of-its-kind phenomenon, this new generation of interactive game shows lets Xbox LIVE members challenge friends and choose to compete against people from across the globe in real time. Xbox LIVE Primetime launches in the fall with the following interactive game:
-- "1 vs. 100" (Endemol). From the makers of "Deal or No Deal," Endemol, the world's largest independent production company, brings the popular television game show "1 vs. 100" to Xbox LIVE Primetime. The exclusive game pits one Xbox LIVE member against 100 others from around the world with a live host and great prizes. The goal of "the One" is to eliminate all the opposition by correctly answering questions, hoping that the opponents will answer incorrectly and be eliminated from the game. And stay tuned for "1 vs. LIVE," where one lucky winner will have a chance to compete against the entire Xbox LIVE community.
Bringing Music Games to Life
Whether you're an aspiring groupie, songbird or big-haired rocker, Xbox 360 transforms your living room into a thrilling soundstage for you and your friends. No other system connects you with all the music you love:
-- "Lips" (iNiS/Microsoft Game Studios). "Lips," an all-new music franchise exclusively from Xbox 360, is the only singing game that offers wireless motion-sensitive microphones and the ability to sing from your own music collection.* Start channeling your favorite pop star, because it's you, your friends and, most important, your music that makes "Lips" the world's ultimate party experience this holiday.
-- "Guitar Hero(R) World Tour" (RedOctane/Activision). When the house lights go down this fall, a new generation of axe shredders, drummers and fearless frontmen will come together and rock with "Guitar Hero World Tour." The latest installment from the No. 1 best-selling video game franchise of 2007, "Guitar Hero World Tour" will transform music gaming by marrying the exhilarating guitar gameplay of "Guitar Hero" with a cooperative band experience that combines the most advanced wireless instruments with revolutionary new online and offline gameplay modes. The game will feature a slick newly redesigned guitar, a genuine electronic drum kit and a microphone, as well as an innovative Music Studio music creator that lets players compose, record, edit and share their own rock-and-roll anthems, along with online Band Career and eight-player "Battle of the Bands." "Guitar Hero World Tour" is being developed by Neversoft Entertainment and will be available for Xbox 360 this fall.
-- "Rock Band 2" (Harmonix/MTV Games). Debuting exclusively on Xbox 360 this September, "Rock Band" is developed by Harmonix and published by MTV Games. "Rock Band 2" is the next evolution of the franchise that allows players to virtually step into the shoes of their favorite bands as singer, guitarist, bassist or drummer. This next iteration of the best-selling franchise will allow gamers to access all the great songs they purchased on Xbox LIVE for the original game and will feature new online capabilities and instrument options.
Xbox 360 Is the Life of the Party
Xbox 360 truly gets the party started with a wide-ranging portfolio of exclusive games for the whole family, including the following:
-- "You're in the Movies" (Codemasters/Microsoft). Get ready for your close-up. "You're in the Movies" brings the cool factor to kitsch as you live out your dreams of becoming a scream queen, zombie or kung fu fighter. Premiering exclusively on Xbox 360 this holiday season, "You're in the Movies" is the first and only game of its kind to literally transport players into a magical world of cinema mixed with the hilarious world of improvisation. Using the Xbox LIVE Vision camera, players' actions are captured and placed into short, riotous films. Performances never end up on the cutting-room floor, and are never the same.
-- "Scene It? Box Office Smash" (Krome Studios and Screenlife/Microsoft Game Studios). "Scene It? Box Office Smash," the revolutionary movie trivia game on Xbox 360, will ignite your game night this holiday season with totally new questions, movie puzzles and more high-definition (HD) content from real movies including some of Hollywood's latest blockbusters. Trivia night goes global as players challenge each other online over Xbox LIVE, customize their own characters, and access extra questions and localized content from films around the world.**
-- "Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts" (Rare Ltd./Microsoft Game Studios). Available exclusively on Xbox 360 in November, from the creative masterminds at Rare, "Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts & Bolts" is an action-adventure game that breathes new life into a franchise that has entertained people of all ages for a decade. In a platform genre first, players create their own abilities by building vehicles for Banjo to pilot over land, sea and air in a variety of Challenges where their choice of vehicle and tactics determines the course of the adventure. Players can test their customized vehicles against other players' creations online or simply compare and share their inventions with friends. The original "Banjo-Kazooie" also debuts with "Stop 'N' Swop" on Xbox LIVE Arcade later this year.
-- "DanceDanceRevolution(R) UNIVERSE3" (Konami). Celebrating its 10th anniversary, "DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3" dances its way to you with fun new modes -- including DJ Mode and Quest Mode -- and settings for players of all skill levels. In addition to one of the biggest soundtracks -- more than 70 songs spanning from the '70s to some of today's hottest tracks -- "DanceDanceRevolution UNIVERSE3" brings friends together from around the world via Xbox LIVE.** Character customization features more than 400 options of clothing, faces, skin tones and hairstyles, allowing players to create the ultimate dancer.
-- "UNO RUSH(TM)" (Microsoft). "UNO RUSH" is a challenging and exciting party card game for up to four players. Developed by the same team that brought the original, best-selling "UNO(R)" to Xbox LIVE Arcade, "UNO RUSH" boasts a wide range of gameplay and social features -- multiple variants, house-rule options, local and Xbox LIVE multiplay, camera support, avatar support, and more -- plus fast-paced gameplay to keep the party going. "UNO RUSH" is coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.
-- "Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise" (Rare Ltd./Microsoft Game Studios). In this sequel to the colorful sleeper hit "Viva Pinata" debuting in September, players can venture outside the boundaries of the immersive and ever-changing garden to retrieve exotic piñata species from two new lands, the Dessert Desert and the Pinarctic. Developed by Rare, "Viva Pinata: Trouble in Paradise" allows up to four players to work together to create the ultimate online garden via Xbox LIVE.** Players can race their favorite pinata or enter them into the P-Factor, Pinata Islands very own talent show and beauty pageant, online against friends or against other gardeners from the island. They can now use the Xbox LIVE Vision camera to drop a new piñata right into their gardens, change the weather or share their custom piñatas with others.
The Biggest Blockbusters of 2008 and Beyond
With the most blockbuster, million-selling games and the most anticipated titles of 2008 and beyond, Xbox 360 is the pre-eminent place to play all the big titles that gamers thirst for, including the following:
-- "Final Fantasy XIII" (Square Enix). "Final Fantasy XIII" is the eagerly anticipated title from Square Enix that takes full advantage of the superior power and technology in Xbox 360, providing tangible, intuitive controls while delivering seamless transitions between real-time gameplay and stunning in-game cinematics. Using the latest in cutting-edge technology, this latest addition to the "Final Fantasy" series is worthy of the title "next generation."
-- "Galaga Legions" (NAMCO BANDAI Games). The arcade shooter "Galaga" has captivated players all over the world, and now the legend lives on with "Galaga Legions." Featuring table-turning game dynamics, updated graphics and vast waves of ferocious enemies, "Galaga Legions" was created by the same team that developed the best-selling "PAC-MAN Championship Edition" for Xbox LIVE Arcade. "Galaga Legions" will debut exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.
-- "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2" (Bizarre Creations Ltd./Activision). The latest version of the frenetic retro shooter, "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2" debuts exclusively on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008. Newcomers and pros alike will be blown away by the screen-melting intensity and insane new features, including six action-packed gameplay modes, new enemies, scoring strategies and a diverse list of exciting Achievements. "Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved 2" also supports multiplayer mayhem for up to four players, with versus or co-op modes, and features razor-sharp 1080p graphics and new, pulse- pounding music.
-- "Portal(TM): Still Alive" (Valve/Microsoft). "Portal: Still Alive" features the full award-winning "Portal" single-player game from Valve plus a new challenge mode. Designed to change the way players approach, manipulate and surmise the possibilities in any given environment, "Portal" has earned more than 70 industry honors for its innovative gameplay, with more than 30 Game of the Year Awards. Solve physical puzzles and challenges by opening portals to maneuvering objects, and yourself, through space. The game is debuting on Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2008.
-- "South Park" (South Park Digital Studios/Doublesix/Microsoft). Based on the Emmy- and Peabody-award winning show, a "South Park" game (title TBA) is coming exclusively to Xbox LIVE Arcade in 2009.
-- "Fable II" (Lionhead Studios/Microsoft Game Studios). This Xbox 360 exclusive action role-playing game offers players an epic storyline and an unprecedented level of freedom and choice. Every decision defines who the player becomes and influences the evolving world around them. "Fable II" is the next great step for the genre, with an innovative dynamic cooperative mode, where players can choose to invite a friend on the same couch or over Xbox LIVE to experience the world together.** The journey begins in August with a first-of-its-kind exclusive Xbox LIVE Arcade title, which allows players to get a head start on earning gold that will transfer to the rich world of "Fable II" when it arrives at stores in October.
-- "Gears of War 2" (Epic Games/Microsoft Game Studios). Epic Games' design director Cliff Bleszinski gave a stunning new look at the "Gears of War 2" campaign, and confirmed the ability to ride the fearsome Brumak. Also detailed was the all-new five-player cooperative mode "Horde," where players unite to battle a seemingly endless onslaught of Locust Horde forces.** "Gears of War 2" is the most anticipated Xbox 360 exclusive title this holiday season and will be released worldwide Nov. 7.
-- "Grand Theft Auto IV" (Rockstar North/Rockstar Games). Continuing its blistering pace on the Xbox 360 platform, the first of the Xbox 360 exclusive downloadable episodes for this record-breaking game will be available this fall - the only console with new "Grand Theft Auto IV" content available this holiday season.
-- "Halo Wars" (Ensemble Studios/Microsoft Game Studios). Microsoft is further expanding the "Halo" universe with "Halo Wars," the blockbuster strategy game designed exclusively for the Xbox 360. A piece of the "Halo Wars" story is revealed through "Five Long Years," a trailer from Ensemble Studios and Microsoft, which showcases the brutal struggle for control of Harvest early in the Human-Covenant wars. "Halo Wars" will put gamers in command of the entire battlefield, leading both UNSC and Covenant forces.
-- "Infinite Undiscovery(TM)" (Square Enix). "Infinite Undiscovery" is the newest fantasy role-playing console game from Square Enix, drawing gamers into a real-time world woven of countless threads where player choices spin untold discoveries -- only on Xbox 360. Players will be confronted with a variety of dramatic situational battles, such as executing a daring escape while a gigantic ogre follows in hot pursuit, or waging battle amid towering tidal waves. Dynamic environments change and respond in real time, creating an entirely new experience never before seen in the genre. The title is scheduled to release exclusively on Xbox 360 in North America on Sept. 2, 2008.
-- "The Last Remnant(TM)" (Square Enix). "The Last Remnant" is a new role-playing game crafted using the finest artistry and technology Square Enix has to offer. Set in a fantasy world, war-torn and scarred by years of conflict, gameplay revolves around mysterious artifacts -- Remnants -- that possess magic powers. Groundbreaking graphics possible only on Xbox 360 bring the intensity to a whole new level. "The Last Remnant" is launching worldwide on November 20 and will be available only on Xbox 360.
-- "Resident Evil 5" (Capcom). Destined to bring new fans to the series, "Resident Evil 5" is the sequel to one of the highest-rated video games in history (according to Metacritic.com and Gamerankings.com). Promising to revolutionize the series by delivering an unbelievable level of detail, realism and control, "Resident Evil 5" unleashes an unprecedented level of fear for the next generation. New technology developed specifically for the game, as well as incredible changes to both the gameplay and the "Resident Evil" world, will make this a must-have game for gamers across the globe.
-- "STAR OCEAN(R): The Last Hope(TM)" (Square Enix). "STAR OCEAN: The Last Hope" is the long-awaited continuation of the celebrated science fiction and fantasy role-playing game series. Slated for release on Xbox 360 in spring 2009 and published by Square Enix, this prequel set during the aftermath of World War III combines science fiction and fantasy elements spanning multiple planets and the vastness of space itself to recount the origins of the STAR OCEAN universe. Exhilarating combat expands upon the franchise's famous real- time battle system, introducing the amazing graphics and visual effects possible only on Xbox 360.
-- "Too Human" (Silicon Knights/Microsoft Game Studios). "Too Human" is an epic action game with integrated role-playing game elements, and will be available in North America on Aug. 19 and in Europe on Aug. 29. The game features a rich storyline with deep character development, both hallmarks of Silicon Knights' legendary tradition of video game development.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a premier video game and entertainment system. It is home to the best and broadest games plus more standard and high-definition movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. The digital center of the living room, Xbox 360 blends unbeatable content, including personal pictures and music, with a unified online social network to create a limitless entertainment experience that can be shared at home or across the globe. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
* The functionality of songs played from personal music collections will vary.
** Xbox LIVE Gold Membership required for online play.
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Microsoft Corp.
CONTACT: Mark Van Lommel, +1-323-202-1074, mark.van.lommel@edelman.com, or Cliff Jin, +1-323-202-1466, cliff.jin@edelman.com, both of Edelman, for Microsoft Corp.
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
Harmonix, MTV Games and Electronic Arts Set to Rock the World Again With Rock Band(TM)2For the First Time Ever in a Music Videogame - Compete Against Other Bands Online; Export Music Tracks from Original Disc to Rock Band 2(1)Upgraded World Tour, Battle of the Bands, Set Challenges and Drum Trainer All Deliver an Authentic, Optimized ExperienceSoundtrack to Feature Over 100 Songs From Unrivaled Blend of Classic, Developing and New ArtistsRock Band is the first music game to Support Open Platform By Officially Licensing Third Party Rock Band 2 Instruments: Mad Catz Premier Guitar Controllers, Cymbal Expansion Pack and Professional ION Alesis Drum Set
LOS ANGELES, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonix, the world's premier music video game development company, and MTV Games, a division of Viacom's MTV Networks , along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. , today revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit new features for the next evolution of the groundbreaking music platform, Rock Band(TM) 2. With the original Rock Band title providing millions of players with a new way to interact with the music and artists they love, Rock Band 2 builds upon its core band foundation to offer an unparalleled, deeper, dynamic gameplay experience.
Rock Band 2 raises the bar in music gaming innovation with new features to rock the world:
-- Local and global online modes to connect the entire Rock Band community
-- World Tour mode, now online, simplifies the best of gameplay from the original Rock Band by fusing Solo Tour and Band World Tour modes and cranks it up a notch with an all new collection of opportunity gigs, challenges, cities, venues and hirable staff
-- Tour Challenges that offer rockers a chance to play through mini-campaigns focused on the best songs by instrument, decade, genre, artist, album and more
-- Battle of the Bands mode challenges players to go head to head against other bands in constantly refreshed contests* created by Harmonix (*internet connection required)
-- Quickplay makes it easier than ever to get in and jam without hassle while allowing for new prefab characters or customized characters that can play on any instrument plus lets you make your own set lists and organize your song lists in a variety of categories (genre, era, etc.)
-- Customizable Set Lists keep the music rolling and your band rocking in Quickplay mode
-- Drum Trainer mode gives players the fundamentals of different beats and fills, translating gameplay into real drumming skills
-- Character Creator completes your look with all new choices in clothing, accessories, tattoos, hairstyles, instruments and more to keep your unique rock avatar playing the full rock part
-- Backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date
-- Disc Export Feature gives owners of the original Rock Band the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay -- the first time ever in videogame history!(1)
Rock Band 2 features the largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame to date including:
-- The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs -- with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall.
-- Unrivaled Blend of Classic, Developing and Emerging rock acts including Pearl Jam, Metallica, Allman Brothers, Motorhead, Devo, Jane's Addiction, Megadeth, Paramore, Modest Mouse and more.
-- Rock Band 2 is the first and only video game to feature the music of AC/DC. It includes their epic rock anthem, "Let There Be Rock"
-- After 14 years since Guns N' Roses last official music release, Axl Rose selects Rock Band 2 to debut official new track, "Shackler's Revenge" from the highly-anticipated album Chinese Democracy
-- For the first time ever, music from American music icon, Bob Dylan, is featured in a video game with "Tangled Up In Blue"
-- With ongoing weekly DLC releases including individual tracks, track packs and full albums, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year's end!
From the solid officially licensed Rock Band 2 instruments to the expanded third party options, Rock Band 2 introduces new and improved choices that promise to deliver unsurpassed realism. In addition, Harmonix and MTV Games have become the first companies to officially support third party instruments and accessories in a music videogame.
Achieve ultimate stardom with the upgraded functionality and smooth new look of the official Rock Band 2 instruments.
-- Fender Stratocaster Controller takes on a new authentic look plus adds a reinforced strum bar, quieter buttons, wireless functionality and a built in calibration tool that automatically sets your AV setup to an ideal setting for maximum rock.
-- Drum set goes wireless while also featuring quieter, velocity sensitive drum pads and a metal reinforced pedal.
-- Microphone showcases authentic styling and weight.
Kick up the intensity with officially licensed third party instruments from Mad Catz:
-- Fender Telecaster Controller features soft buttons with lower action to help you shred faster than ever.
-- Fender Bass Controller, the first bass guitar controller ever, takes the shape of the Fender P-Bass with extended length, tuning pegs and a split strum bar to replicate finger-bass style picking.
-- Full-sized Squire Stratocaster Guitar Controller multiplies the authentic guitar experience by featuring a controller built into an actual Squire Stratocaster body.
-- Cymbal Expansion Pack is a straightforward but amazing upgrade to the Rock Band 2 drum set featuring add-on cymbals.
Take Rock Band 2 instrument authenticity to a whole new level with a high-end peripheral from ION:
-- ION Drum Rocker, a real electronic drum kit that functions as a game controller, brings the Rock Band fantasy to life featuring a simple substitution that takes the drum kit from a controller to a real instrument.
Rock Band 2 will make its debut on Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September and have an exclusive launch window in North America. Rock Band 2 will be available for additional platforms later this year. Rock Band 2 will be available for the PLAYSTATION(R) 3 and PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment systems and Wii(TM) later this year.
As previously revealed today, Rock Band will ship with an exclusive launch window on the Xbox(TM) 360(TM) videogame and entertainment system from Microsoft in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland and Benelux July 24th, and on other platforms this Fall.
The Rock Band online music store recently surpassed 16 million paid downloads since the game's launch in late November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available to date via disc and download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band 2 is rated "T" for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit http://www.rockband.com/ and http://www.harmonixmusic.com/.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 150 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ .
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS Freestyle(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com/. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com/.
(C) 2008 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox. Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation" and "PLAYSTATION" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
(1) Online connection required. Nominal fee required for export of Rock Band 1 soundtrack to compensate music licensors for expanded use. Fee still to-be-determined but will be under $5. The list of exportable Rock Band 1 tracks has not yet been finalized as music licenses are currently in the process of being re-acquired.
MTV
CONTACT: Tracie Snitker of Reverb Communications, +1-209-586-1495, x104, Tracie@reverbinc.com, for Harmonix Media; Jeff Castaneda of MTV, +1-212-846-6774, Jeff.Castaneda@mtvstaff.com; Bryce Baer of Electronic Arts, +1-650-628-5102, bbaer@ea.com
Web site: http://www.mtv.com/ http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ http://www.rockband.com/ http://www.rockband.com/dlc http://info.ea.com/
MLB All-Star Game Has a New Player - Hop-on!
IRVINE, Calif., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Hop-on, Inc. (Pink Sheets: HPNN) announced, earlier this month, the release of its HOP1800 at the 79th Annual MLB All-Star Game. The week's festivities are underway and Hop-on's home run phone has officially hit the Major Leagues here in the U.S.
The Hop1800 was an overnight success with European and Middle East markets early this summer. At that time Hop-on announced that the focus for this new phone was to gain exposure overseas. In doing so, the HOP1800 is quickly becoming a household name. With the overwhelming amount of success with orders from distributors the word has quickly spread here to the US.
Peter Michaels, President and CEO of Hop-on explains, "Prior to our arrival here in New York for our Launch at the All-Star Game, I was receiving daily calls from U.S. distributors who are interested in obtaining samples of our HOP1800. Upon announcement of our launch here at the All-Star games, distributors are placing their orders! The reality of this phone is that the term Disposable goes far beyond the typical 'baseline hit' of being able to Recycle. Spending a mere $10 to $20 for our HOP1800 phone generates Disposable Income for our consumers. There are so many costly expenditures in today's marketplace, and given the current economy, our HOP1800 is a Grand Slam for anyone. Saving money and communicating effectively and efficiently is what everyone is looking for. Our launch here at the games is well underway, meetings with distributors have been taking place since Sunday morning, and orders are pouring in. HOP1800 is truly the New All-Star for Hop-on."
About Hop-on, Inc.
HOP-ON (HPNN-Pink Sheets) develops and markets wireless phones and accessories for emerging market and other domestic carriers and is best known for developing the world's first disposable cell phone. Currently, HOP-ON is expanding into value-added services, like mobile gambling and SMS wagering. HOP-ON's exclusive software will allow users to stream live interactive feed from legal jurisdictions to play poker, blackjack, roulette and baccarat on personal cell phones.
For more information, visit http://www.hop-on.com/.
Certain statements in this news release may contain forward-looking information within the meaning of Rule 175 under the Securities Act of 1933, and are subject to Rule 3B-6 under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, and are subject to the safe harbor created by those rules. All Statements, other than statements of fact, included in this release, including, without limitation, statements regarding potential future plans and objectives of the company, are forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate and other results and further events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Future events and actual results could differ materially from those set forth in, contemplated by, or underlying the forward-looking statements.
CONTACT: Hop-on, Inc.
Danny Coleman (949) 756-9008
Hop-on, Inc.
CONTACT: Danny Coleman of Hop-on, Inc., +1-949-756-9008
Web site: ht http://www.hop-on.com/
Verizon Wireless Applauds Cell Tax Fairness Act
BASKING RIDGE, N.J., July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless today applauded the introduction of the Cell Tax Fairness Act by Sens. Ron Wyden (D-OR) and Olympia Snowe (R-ME). The legislation calls for a halt to taxes imposed by state or local authorities.
"Verizon Wireless has always said wireless customers should not be subject to unfair and discriminatory taxes, and this bill addresses that issue directly," said Steve Zipperstein, vice president and general counsel at Verizon Wireless. "On behalf of our more than 67 million customers, we applaud this proposed legislation and commend Senators Wyden and Snowe for this important effort to make wireless services more affordable for American consumers."
About Verizon Wireless
Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 67.2 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: http://www.verizonwireless.com/. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.
Verizon Wireless
CONTACT: Jeffrey Nelson of Verizon Wireless, +1-908-559-7519, Jeffrey.Nelson@verizonwireless.com
Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
Microsoft and Netflix Unveil Partnership to Instantly Stream Movies and TV Episodes to the TV via Xbox LIVEExclusive agreement creates game-changing home entertainment experience; more than 10,000 movies and TV episodes will be available to watch instantly at no additional cost to paying subscribers.
LOS ANGELES, July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- An exciting new home theater experience is coming to living rooms this holiday season. At the E3 Media and Business Summit, Microsoft Corp. and Netflix, Inc. , the world's largest online movie rental service, today unveiled an exclusive partnership to offer consumers the ability to instantly stream movies and TV episodes from Netflix to the television via the Xbox 360 video game and entertainment system. Xbox 360 will be the only game system that lets users instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed from Netflix. This movie watching innovation will be available to Xbox LIVE Gold members who are also Netflix subscribers and will let those users enjoy streaming movies from Netflix on Xbox LIVE at no additional cost.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO)
A growing library of more than 10,000 movies and TV episodes will be available from Netflix when it launches on Xbox LIVE in late fall, with more choices added over time. Through this agreement, along with the existing Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store, Xbox 360 will be home to more movies and TV shows on demand than any other device connected to the TV. Xbox LIVE quickly and easily connects consumers and their friends to the entertainment they want -- with no PC required for viewing.
Netflix on Xbox 360 is an important component of the new Xbox experience, a new generation of games and entertainment experiences that will be available on Xbox 360 consoles this fall. The new Xbox experience, also announced today at the E3 Media and Business Summit, represents the first time in history that a mass-market consumer electronics device has been re-invented through free software, giving people more fun and intuitive ways to interact, play and enjoy entertainment content.
"Watching movies at home will never be the same. Netflix on Xbox 360 is an entertainment first, and we are bringing friends together with the best in entertainment content like no other device in the living room," said John Schappert, corporate vice president of Interactive Entertainment LIVE, Software and Services Business at Microsoft. "We are creating a completely new social entertainment experience, and Xbox 360 will be the only video game system where you can access your library of instantly streamable movies from Netflix and turn any room into a virtual movie theater."
From the Netflix Web site, members simply add movies and TV episodes to their individual instant Queues. Those choices will be automatically displayed on the TV screen via Xbox 360 and available to watch instantly. Once selected, movies will begin playing in as little as 30 seconds. In addition to instantly streaming movies to the TV, Xbox LIVE Gold members can fast-forward, pause and rewind, all using either their Xbox 360 Controller or Media Remote. In all, the user interface creates a highly personalized experience that puts viewers in control.
"Netflix and Xbox 360 are a perfect combination, the leading online movie rental service and the leading games and entertainment system joining forces to create an all-in-one entertainment experience with content for everyone," said Reed Hastings, chairman and CEO of Netflix. "For Netflix, it represents an important step forward in making instantly streaming movies on the TV more broadly available to our members."
The library of movies and TV episodes that will be available for instant streaming from Netflix via Xbox 360 includes scores of Academy Award winners and nominees, episodes from a number of popular, currently running and classic TV shows, and 24 of the movies rated by the American Film Institute as the greatest ever.
Today, Xbox LIVE members can also download movies and purchase TV shows from the industry-leading Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store, currently packed with content from more than 45 networks and studios. The Xbox LIVE Marketplace Video Store offers more than twice the high-definition content than the nearest cable provider and more than 6,000 hours of TV shows and movies.
About Xbox 360
Xbox 360 is a superior video game and entertainment system delivering the best games, unique entertainment features and a unified online gaming network that revolve around gamers. Xbox 360 has a portfolio of nearly 400 games in 37 countries. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/xbox360.
About Xbox LIVE
Xbox LIVE is the first and most comprehensive unified online entertainment network seamlessly integrated throughout the entire console experience, making it easy for people to find the friends, games and entertainment they want from the moment they power on their Xbox 360 system. Xbox LIVE connects more than 12 million members across 26 countries to enjoy hundreds of multiplayer games, downloadable games via Xbox LIVE Arcade, free and premium playable game demos, music videos, TV shows, and movies in the United States as well as new game levels, characters and vehicles for all their favorite retail games. More information can be found online at http://www.xbox.com/en-us/live.
About Netflix, Inc.
Netflix, Inc. is the world's largest online movie rental service, with more than eight million subscribers. For one low monthly price, Netflix members can get DVDs delivered to their homes and can instantly watch movies and TV episodes streamed to their TVs and PCs, all in unlimited amounts. Members can choose from over 100,000 DVD titles and a growing library of more than 10,000 choices that can be watched instantly. There are never any due dates or late fees. DVDs are delivered free to members by first class mail, with a postage-paid return envelope, from over 100 U.S. shipping points. More than 95 percent of Netflix members live in areas that generally receive shipments in one business day. Netflix is also partnering with leading consumer electronics companies to offer a range of devices that can instantly stream movies and TV episodes to members' TVs from Netflix. For more information, visit http://www.netflix.com/.
About Microsoft
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.
Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/ PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com
Microsoft Corp.
CONTACT: Evan Parker of Edelman, +1-323-202-1052, evan.parker@edelman.com, for Microsoft; or Steve Swasey of Netflix, +1-408-540-3947, sswasey@netflix.com
Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/
CSC to Webcast First Quarter FY 2009 Earnings Teleconference
FALLS CHURCH, Va., July 14 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- CSC today announced that it will release fiscal first quarter 2009 financial results on Tuesday, August 5, at approximately 4:10 p.m. EDT. An earnings conference call will follow at 5:00 p.m. EDT. The dial-in numbers for the investment community are (888) 244-2430 (domestic) and (913) 312-0406 (international). The pass code is 4459866.
The conference call hosted by CSC senior management will be webcast simultaneously through a link on the company's Web site at http://www.csc.com/investorrelations. Webcast participants will be in a listen-only mode. A replay will be available on the CSC Web site from approximately one hour after the conclusion of the conference call through Tuesday, September 2, 2008, at 8:00 p.m. EDT. The replay dial-in numbers are (888) 203-1112 (domestic) and (719) 457-0820 (international). The pass code is 4459866.
CSC is a leading IT services company. CSC's mission is to be a global leader in providing technology-enabled business solutions and services.
With approximately 90,000 employees, CSC provides innovative solutions for customers around the world by applying leading technologies and CSC's own advanced capabilities. These include systems design and integration; IT and business process outsourcing; applications software development; Web and application hosting; and management consulting. Headquartered in Falls Church, Va., CSC reported revenue of $16.5 billion for the 12 months ended March 28, 2008. For more information, visit the company's Web site at http://www.csc.com/.
CSC
CONTACT: Bill Lackey, Director, Investor Relations, Corporate, +1-310-615-1700, blackey3@csc.com, or Mike Dickerson, Director, Media Relations, Corporate, +1-310-615-1647, mdickers@csc.com, both of CSC
Web site: http://www.csc.com/
Harmonix and MTV Games Unveil Setlist for Rock Band(TM)2 - The Ultimate Music GameGame to Feature Unrivaled Blend of Classic, Developing and New ArtistsRock Band Platform to Encompass More Than 500 Songs by End of 2008
LOS ANGELES, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Harmonix, the world's premier music video game company, and MTV Games, a division of Viacom's MTV Networks , along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. , today revealed at the 2008 E3 Media & Business Summit the song set list for Rock Band(TM) 2, the next evolution of the groundbreaking Rock Band music platform. The Rock Band 2 soundtrack will feature over 100 songs with over 80 songs on disc plus an additional 20 bonus tracks which will be made available for free download this fall. This builds upon the unparalleled depth and diversity of Rock Band's original set list and its ever-expanding library of downloadable tracks. Comprised entirely of master recordings from some of rock's most prolific and untouchable artists, including AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Bob Dylan, Metallica, Pearl Jam and more, Rock Band 2 will deliver the most impressive and largest music catalogue of any music-based videogame ever.
-- After 14 years since Guns N' Roses last official music release, Axl Rose selects Rock Band 2 to debut official new track "Shackler's Revenge" from the highly-anticipated album Chinese Democracy.
-- Rock Band 2 is the first and only video game to feature the music of AC/DC. It includes their epic rock anthem, "Let There Be Rock."
-- For the first time ever, music from American music icon, Bob Dylan, is featured in a video game with "Tangled Up In Blue."
-- Rock Band 2 will feature backwards compatibility with all Rock Band downloadable music content released to date.
-- Owners of the original Rock Band will have the ability to export most of the Rock Band disc tracks and upgrade them into Rock Band 2 gameplay -- the first time ever in videogame history!(1)
-- With ongoing weekly DLC releases including individual tracks, track packs and full albums, the Rock Band music library will feature more than 500 songs by year's end!
"With Rock Band, Harmonix and MTV Games set out to create a powerful music platform for music fans, their friends and families to discover music in a way unlike ever before," said Paul DeGooyer, SVP Electronic Games and Music, MTV. "We are honored that such legendary artists as AC/DC, Guns N' Roses, Bob Dylan and more have chosen Rock Band 2 as a new platform for fans to experience their music. As our catalog of disc and downloadable songs continues to grow, we are determined to continue to provide the Rock Band community an unmatched ability to customize their musical experience with the artists and songs they love." Rock Band 2 On-Disc Track List:
Artist Song Title Decade
AC/DC "Let There Be Rock" 1970s
AFI "Girl's Gone Grey" 2000's
Alanis Morissette "You Oughta Know" 1990's
Alice in Chains "Man in the Box" 1990's
Allman Brothers "Ramblin' Man" 1970's
Avenged Sevenfold "Almost Easy" 2000's
Bad Company "Shooting Star" 1970's
Beastie Boys "So Whatcha Want" 1990's
Beck "E-Pro" 2000's
Bikini Kill "Rebel Girl" 1990's
Billy Idol "White Wedding Pt. I" 1980's
Blondie "One Way or Another" 1970's
Bob Dylan "Tangled Up in Blue" 1970's
Bon Jovi "Livin' on a Prayer" 1980's
Cheap Trick "Hello There" 1970's
Devo "Uncontrollable Urge" 1980's
Dinosaur Jr. "Feel the Pain" 1990's
Disturbed "Down with the Sickness" 2000's
Dream Theater "Panic Attack" 2000's
Duran Duran "Hungry Like the Wolf" 1980's
Elvis Costello "Pump It Up" 1970's
Fleetwood Mac "Go Your Own Way" 1970's
Foo Fighters "Everlong" 1990's
Guns N' Roses "Shackler's Revenge" 2000's
Interpol "PDA" 2000's
Jane's Addiction "Mountain Song" 1980's
Jethro Tull "Aqualung" 1970's
Jimmy Eat World "The Middle" 2000's
Joan Jett "Bad Reputation" 1980's
Journey "Anyway You Want It" 1970's
Judas Priest "Painkiller" 1990's
Kansas "Carry On Wayward Son" 1970's
L7 "Pretend We're Dead" 1990's
Lacuna Coil "Our Truth" 2000's
Linkin Park "One Step Closer" 2000's
Lit "My Own Worst Enemy" 1990's
Lush "De-Luxe" 1990's
Mastodon "Colony of Birchmen" 2000's
Megadeth "Peace Sells" 1980's
Metallica "Battery" 1980's
Mighty Mighty Bosstones "Where'd You Go" 1990's
Modest Mouse "Float On" 2000's
Motorhead "Ace of Spades" 1980's
Nirvana "Drain You" 1990's
Norman Greenbaum "Spirit in the Sky" 1960's
Panic at the Disco "Nine in the Afternoon" 2000's
Paramore "That's What You Get" 2000's
Pearl Jam "Alive" 1990's
Presidents of the USA "Lump" 1990's
Rage Against the Machine "Testify" 1990's
Ratt "Round & Round" 1980's
Red Hot Chili Peppers "Give it Away" 1990's
Rise Against "Give it All" 2000's
Rush "The Trees" 1970's
Silversun Pickups "Lazy Eye" 2000's
Smashing Pumpkins "Today" 1990's
Social Distortion "I Was Wrong" 1990's
Sonic Youth "Teenage Riot" 1980's
Soundgarden "Spoonman" 1990's
Squeeze "Cool for Cats" 1970's
Steely Dan "Bodhitsattva" 1970's
Steve Miller Band "Rock'n Me" 1970's
Survivor "Eye of the Tiger" 1980's
System of a Down "Chop Suey" 2000's
Talking Heads "Psycho Killer" 1970's
Tenacious D "Master Exploder" 2000's
Testament "Souls of Black" 1990's
The Donnas "New Kid in School" 2000's
The Go-Go's "We Got the Beat" 1980's
The Grateful Dead "Alabama Getaway" 1980's
The Guess Who "American Woman" 1970's
The Muffs "Kids in America" 1990's
The Offspring "Come Out & Play 1990's
(Keep 'em Separated)"
The Replacements "Alex Chilton" 1980's
The Who "Pinball Wizard" 1960's
Bonus Artist Bonus Song Title Decade
Abnormality "Visions" 2000's
Anarchy Club "Get Clean" 2000's
Bang Camaro "Night Lies" 2000's
Breaking Wheel "Shoulder to the Plow" 2000's
The Libyans "Neighborhood" 2000's
The Main Drag "A Jagged Gorgeous Winter" 2000's
Speck "Conventional Lover" 2000's
The Sterns "Supreme Girl" 2000's
That Handsome Devil "Rob the Prez-O-Dent" 2000's
** The Rock Band 2 on-disc track list is comprised entirely of master recordings. More news about music on the Rock Band platform will be announced during the coming months.
Rock Band 2 will make its debut on Xbox 360(TM) video game and entertainment system from Microsoft this September and have an exclusive launch window in North America. Rock Band 2 will be available for the PLAYSTATION(R) 3 and PlayStation(R) 2 computer entertainment systems and Wii(TM) later this year. The Rock Band online Music Store recently surpassed 16 million paid downloads since the game's launch in late November 2007. With more than 200 tracks available to date on disc and via download purchase (complete list of tracks at http://www.rockband.com/dlc), the massive Rock Band Music Store allows players to preview and purchase downloadable individual music tracks, packs and albums from the vast selection of offerings available as they build their own custom Rock Band library.
Rock Band 2 is rated "T" for Teen (lyrics, suggestive themes) by the ESRB. For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit http://www.rockband.com/ and http://www.harmonixmusic.com/.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 150 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide. About MTV Games MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high- quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: http://www.harmonixmusic.com/.
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS Freestyle TM and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com/. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com/.
(C) 2008 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox. Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. "PlayStation" and "PLAYSTATION" are registered trademarks of Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Wii is a trademark of Nintendo. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
(1) Online connection required. Nominal fee required for export of RB1 soundtrack to compensate music licensors for expanded use. Fee still to-be-determined, but will be under $5. The list of exportable Rock Band 1 tracks has not yet been finalized as music licenses are currently in the process of being re-acquired
MTV
CONTACT: Tracie Snitker of Reverb Communications, for Harmonix, +1-209-586-1495 x104, Tracie@reverbinc.com; or Jeff Castaneda of MTV, +1-212-846-6774, Jeff.Castaneda@mtvstaff.com; Bryce Baer of Electronic Arts, +1-650-628-5102, bbaer@ea.com
Web site: http://www.mtv.com/ http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ http://www.ea.com/ http://info.ea.com/ http://www.rockband.com/
Harmonix, MTV Games and EA To Ship Rock Band to Seven Additional Countries This YearAward-Winning Music Game Coming To Italy, Spain, Switzerland, Sweden, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg
GENEVA, Switzerland, July 14 /PRNewswire/ -- Rock Band's global tour will stop in seven additional countries this year! Harmonix, the leading developer of music-based games, and MTV Games, a division of Viacom's MTV Networks , along with marketing and distribution partner Electronic Arts Inc. , today confirmed plans to release the award-winning music video game Rock Band in seven additional countries later this year.
Rock Band will have an exclusive launch window on the Xbox 360(TM) videogame and entertainment console from Microsoft in Italy, Sweden, Spain, Switzerland, Belgium, Netherlands, and Luxembourg and will ship on July 24. Rock Band will be available for additional platforms in these territories later this fall.
Rock Band is an all-new platform for music fans and gamers to interact with music. The game challenges players to put together a band and tour for fame and fortune, mastering lead/bass guitar, drums and vocals. With more master recordings than any other music game, Rock Band features some of the world's biggest rock artists and spans every genre of rock ranging from alternative and classic rock to heavy metal and punk.
In addition to the 58 tracks from the North American release, Rock Band will feature nine additional tracks for its European release, including:
-- Die Toten Hosen "Hier Kommt Alex"
-- Juli "Perfekte Welle"
-- H-Block X "Countdown to Insanity"
-- Blur "Beetlebum" *
-- Oasis "Rock 'n' roll star"
-- Tokio Hotel "Monsoon"
-- Muse "Hysteria"
-- Les Wampas "Manu Chao"
-- Playmo "New Wave"
(*indicates cover song)
Rock Band features more than 200 songs available to date on disc and via purchase and download in North America and Europe, with more available every week. Tracks are available for 160 Microsoft Points each on Xbox 360. For a complete list of Rock Band songs available for purchase to date, please go to http://www.rockband.com/dlc.
Since its North American release in 2007, Rock Band has garnered over 40 awards including Game Critics Award: Best of Show E3 2007 and three awards at The 11th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards including Outstanding Innovation in Gaming, Family Game of the Year, and Outstanding Achievement in Soundtrack.
Rock Band is rated 12+ by PEGI: Sex, Bad Language, PEGI Online.
For more information on Rock Band and Harmonix Music Systems please visit http://www.rockband.com/ and http://www.harmonixmusic.com/.
Developed by Harmonix, MTV Games is the publisher of Rock Band. EA is the exclusive distribution and marketing partner for Rock Band.
About MTV Networks
MTV Networks, a unit of Viacom , is one of the world's leading creators of programming and content across all media platforms. MTV Networks, with more than 150 channels worldwide, owns and operates the following television programming services -- MTV: MUSIC TELEVISION, MTV2, VH1, mtvU, NICKELODEON, NICK at NITE, COMEDY CENTRAL, TV LAND, SPIKE TV, CMT, NOGGIN/THE N, VH1 CLASSIC, MTVN INTERNATIONAL and THE DIGITAL SUITE FROM MTV NETWORKS, a package of 13 digital services, all of these networks trademarks of MTV Networks. MTV Networks connects with its audiences through its robust consumer products businesses and its more than 300 interactive properties worldwide, including online, broadband, wireless and interactive television services and also has licensing agreements, joint ventures, and syndication deals whereby all of its programming services can be seen worldwide.
About MTV Games
MTV Games is dedicated to creating, marketing and publishing high-quality, innovative interactive products that are relevant to the MTV audience and complement the core values of the MTV Networks brands.
About Harmonix Music Systems, Inc.
Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., based in Cambridge, MA, and established in 1995, is the leading developer of groundbreaking music-oriented videogames. Harmonix was founded by Alex Rigopulos and Eran Egozy, who formed the company to invent new ways for non-musicians to experience the unique joy that comes from making music and have pioneered music and rhythm gaming in the US. For more information please visit: http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ .
About Electronic Arts
Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City, California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company. Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names: EA SPORTS(TM), EA(TM), EA SPORTS Freestyle(TM) and POGO(TM). In fiscal 2008, EA posted GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is http://www.ea.com/. More information about EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com/.
(C) 2008 Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Harmonix, Rock Band, Rock Band 2 and all related titles and logos are trademarks of Harmonix Music Systems, Inc., an MTV Networks company. Rock Band and Rock Band 2 developed by Harmonix Music Systems, Inc. MTV: Music Television, MTV Games and all related titles and logos are trademarks of MTV Networks, a division of Viacom International Inc All other marks are the property of their respective owners. EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle and POGO are trademarks or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other countries. Microsoft, Xbox. Xbox 360 and Xbox Live are trademarks of the Microsoft group of companies. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
MTV
CONTACT: Bryce Baer of Electronic Arts, +1-650-628-5102, bbaer@ea.com
Web site: http://www.mtv.com/ http://www.rockband.com/dlc http://www.rockband.com/ http://www.harmonixmusic.com/ http://www.ea.com/ http://info.ea.com/
China Information Security Technology, Inc. CEO Closes on Equity Transfer Agreement to Purchase Remaining Interest in iASPEC
SHENZHEN, China, July 14 /Xinhua-PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- China Information Security Technology, Inc., ("China Information Security," "CIST" or the "Company"), a leading provider of Information Security and 3S (Geographic Information System - GIS, Global Positioning System - GPS and Remote Sensing - RS) services in China, today announced that Mr. Jiang Huai Lin, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of the Company consummated the purchase the 24% minority interest in iASPEC Software Co. Ltd. ("iASPEC"), CIST's variable interest entity, from Mr. Jin Zhu Cai, for a total consideration of RMB60 million (approximately $8.72 million).
Mr. Lin paid the purchase price by delivering to Mr. Cai, 1,527,855 shares of restricted common stock of CIST owned by him, valued at $5.708 per share (based on a 5-day average of CIST's share price during the week of June 23, 2008). As a result of the transaction, Mr. Lin now holds 100% of the equity interests of iASPEC. Details of the transaction can be found in an 8-K filed by the Company on July 3, 2008.
Management believes that the transaction solidifies the economic relationship between CIST and iASPEC and better aligns Mr. Cai's interest with the interests of CIST shareholders. CIST will continue to receive 100% of the economic benefits of iASPEC.
"We are pleased that we have consummated this transaction with Mr. Cai," said Mr. Lin. "Mr. Cai has been extremely instrumental in iASPEC's success and we value his continued presence as a CIST shareholder." "I have developed a strong and respectful relationship with the management of CIST over the years," |