Entrepreneurs Close DEMOfall 2005 Conference With Look To Future
Thirty-two stage presentations showcase significant emerging technology trends

Huntington Beach, CA - September 21, 2005 - From across the spectrum of the technology landscape, Executive Producer Chris Shipley chose 65 products to launch at the DEMOfall 2005 conference. Considering everything from consumer gadgets to mobile services to enterprise systems, Shipley selected only those products she deemed most likely to affect how people interact with the digital world. Thirty-two of the selected companies launched their products and services onstage today at DEMOfall.

In addition to the product introductions, the DEMOfall stage hosted a discussion of mobile video with Rajeev Chand, Senior Equity Analyst for Rutberg & Co., and Jeff Lorbeck, Senior Vice President and General Manager for QUALCOMM MediaFLO. "We took a close look at one of the most hotly debated issues in mobile computing: mobile video," said Shipley. "Plenty of voices rage about whether and in what form this new media platform will take hold. Rajeev Chand and Jeff Lorbeck have a clear vision for the hockey-stick like adoption of mobile video and the business models and infrastructure required to make that happen."

One main focus of the conference today was on tools that are designed to make your cell phone your foremost computing tool, an initiative that appeals to both consumers and business people. Mobile phones are becoming access devices for enterprise applications, control panels for server-stored files, repositories for digital media, and message and communications managers, as demonstrated by today's onstage product debuts:

  • Airena, Inc. - "AirSet" mobile groupware service networks your phone's contacts, calendar and to-do list applications with the work, family and friend groups in your life.
  • ComVu Media, Inc. - "ComVu Mobile" Webcasting platform operates from mobile devices or PDAs, turning Smartphones into active broadcasting devices.
  • Destinator Technologies, Inc. - "Destinator and Destinator Anywhere Server" navigation system provides the platform for location-based consumer applications.
  • The SCO Group, Inc. - "Me Inc." is a series of applets that enable mobile collaboration to be built on top of an organization's existing business application framework.
  • Digital Chocolate, Inc. - "MLSN Sports Picks" is a sports prediction club where league members compete within a special interest community.
  • AIRMEDIA, Inc. - "Aura" mobile application development and delivery platform enables fast time to market and wide subscriber reach into the mobile marketplace

 

Enterprise Data Under Virtual Lock and Key
"DEMOfall wouldn't be a true DEMO event without a look at innovations in enterprise security products designed to keep business operations up 24/7," said Shipley. "In an increasingly edgy regulatory environment and with threats as diverse and sophisticated as there are hackers, security is well worth our consideration and investment."

Security products on display at DEMOfall today included:

  • Barracuda Networks, Inc. - The "Barracuda IM Firewall" appliance eliminates the security risks of instant messaging.
  • Kenai Systems, Inc. - "eXamine Enterprise" is an automated system that tests for vulnerabilities at the Web services level.
  • Sana Security - The "Primary Response" system isolates malicious code based on its behavior, enabling it to respond more quickly to previously unknown threats.
  • ConSentry Networks, Inc. - ConSentrys' "Secure LAN Controller" authenticates network packet traffic based on user roles, application behavior, and business logic.
  • Eptascape, Inc. - The "EptaCam" networked camera and embedded software system for video surveillance that monitors behaviors and masks identities, securely encoding detail for future reference.

 

Social Media Building Communities
People are social beings and people of all stripes are embracing social networks, online communities and blogs to stay connected. "The rapid growth of social media over the past 12 months will pale in comparison to the activity that is to come in the year ahead," said Shipley. These three products, launched here at DEMOfall, jump-start that action:

  • YackPack - The "YackPack" Internet service facilitates communication among group members, capturing and conveying the expressiveness of human speech.
  • ezboard, Inc. - The "Yuku" collaborative blogging platform shares advertising and premium content subscription revenues with bloggers and online community creators.
  • Six Apart Ltd. - The "TypePad 2.0" blogging platform provides control, flexibility and privacy in a workspace that lets users aggregate, store, publish and share any type of media asset.

 

E-commerce 2.0
"According to eMarketer, nearly 60 percent of Americans, or 175.4 million people, will be Internet users by the end of 2005, which will no doubt bump up the 2004 record of $118 million in U.S. retail and travel e-commerce sales," said Shipley. "There is a tremendous amount of innovation happening in the e-commerce space as it enters its second decade of existence."

More consumers are buying online than ever before, but what will e-commerce 2.0 look like? These diverse services, launched today at DEMOfall, suggest some directions that the market is heading:

  • SquareTrade - "SquareTrade SideBar" online shopping assistant makes comparison shopping more convenient and safer than ever before.
  • Jingle Networks, Inc. - "800-FREE-411 & FREE411.com" offers consumers a free alternative to the high cost directory assistance service provided by traditional carriers.
  • VirComZone Ltd. - "JOY2SHOP" software enables the easy creation and upkeep of virtual 3D e-commerce shops by e-tailers.
  • Glam Media, Inc. - "Glam.com" shopping site delivers the emotional and aspirational experience to make online shopping more appealing to women.
  • Picture Marketing, Inc. - "Picture Marketing Campaign Manager" is an events-based marketing tool that matches a sales lead's photo with customized content for effective direct mail marketing.
  • VideoEgg, Inc. - "VideoEgg Publisher" Web site plug-in makes it simple for users to capture, edit, encode and post digital video online.
  • FatLens, Inc. - "www.fatlens.com" uses search technologies to provide a better consumer experience in online comparison shopping.

 

DEMOgods(tm) and Inny Award Winners
Shipley closed the General Session today with the announcement of the DEMOgod winners for DEMOfall 2005. DEMOgods are selected for their ability to clearly articulate the jaw-dropping significance of their debuting technologies despite the pressures of a jaded audience, a make-or-break level of expectation, and a glowing red three- or six-minute count down clock. DEMOgods for DEMOfall 2005 are:

  • U3
  • Realm Systems
  • Light Crafts, Inc.
  • UniPrivacy, Inc.
  • YackPack
  • VideoEgg, Inc.
  • Mena Trott's Mom (Six Apart Ltd.) for proving that it IS so easy your mother can do it

 

Meredith Taylor from The Tech Museum of Innovation, a DEMO partner, took the stage to announce The Tech's selections for its first-ever Inny Awards. Innys are bestowed on innovations that will impact people's lives, following The Tech's mission to inspire the innovator in everyone. These Inny Award-winners' products will soon be available for the public to experience and explore at The Tech Museum:

  • Echelon Corp's Pyxos Embedded Control Networking Platform
  • Callpod, Inc.'s conferencing technology
  • Destinator Technologies, Inc.'s live navigation system
  • Roku LLC's SoundBridge Wi-Fi Music System
  • SchmartBoard, Inc.'s SchmartBoard/ez circuit soldering model
  • YackPack's Internet communications service

 

In January 2005, Conferenza honored Chris Shipley for the second year in a row with its 'Host of the Year' award, noting, "Audiences believe in her, presenting companies excel under her guidance and her events are consistently glitch-free." Conferenza is the leading independent resource for information regarding technology conferences.

DEMOfall 2005 Sponsors and Partners
DEMOfall 2005 principal sponsor is Qualcomm. Partner sponsors are Ceonex, introNetworks, Lenovo, and Porter Novelli. Contributing sponsors are Barracuda Networks, Kenai Systems, Phantom, Teneros, SCO, Spotwave, and Verizon Wireless. The strategic partner is Guidewire Group. DEMOfall media partners are Business 2.0, PR Newswire, Tech Confidential and The Deal. Marketing partners are American Entrepreneurs for Economic Growth (AEEG), LAPTOP Magazine, Market4Demand, Mobile Enterprise magazine, National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), Possibility Productions, PRSA Silicon Valley, Tech Coast Angels, The Tech Museum of Innovation, and Wireless Innovation Network of British Columbia (WINBC).

About the DEMO Conferences
Produced by Network World Events and Executive Forums, the semi-annual DEMO conferences focus on emerging technologies and new products, which are hand-selected from across the spectrum of the technology marketplace. The DEMO conferences have earned their reputation for consistently identifying tomorrow's cutting-edge technologies, and have served as launch pad events for companies such as Palm, E*Trade, Handspring, and U.S. Robotics, helping them to secure venture funding, establish critical business relationships, and influence early adopters. Each DEMO conference features approximately 70 new companies, products and technologies. For more information on the DEMO conferences, visit www.demo.com/.

The DEMO community also benefits from the award winning DEMOletter. A weekly e-newsletter designed to reach the people who are creating companies, building products and launching new ideas, DEMOletter provides smart insight and analysis of entrepreneurial business issues.

About Network World
Network World, Inc., the Leader in Network Knowledge, empowers Network IT Executives through education, information and community. Network World, an IDG company, is the leading provider of news, analysis, reviews, events and education on information technology. Network World publishes the leading newsweekly, Network World, hosts the most active online community, Network World Fusion (www.nwfusion.com), and produces educational seminars and events worldwide. Network World's portfolio of strategic marketing programs provides marketing and agency professionals with the tools to generate high-quality leads, optimize marketing campaigns, and create new revenue opportunities.

About IDG
International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, research, and event company. A privately-held company, IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers including Bio-IT World, CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Network World, and PC World. The company features the largest network of technology-specific Web sites with more than 400 around the world. IDG is also a leading producer of more than 170 computer-related events worldwide including LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, MacWorld Conference & Expo, DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC provides global market research and advice through offices in 50 countries. Company information is available at www.idg.com.

For More Information
MC2 Communications, onsite at DEMOfall:
Becky Sniffen, 510-682-6613, becky@mc2pr.net