Industry Briefs
Bill Gates put
the rumors to
rest, unveilling a
new mini-PC
NEWS A MINI-TABLET PC? The rumors are true. Bill Gates unveiled the prototype “ultra-mobile,” 7-inchwide- screen Tablet PC at WinHEC 2005 (Windows Hardware Engineering Conference) this spring. According to a recent report from eWeek.com, the new tablet “can do everything that a traditional Tablet PC can do.” The product is scheduled to launch in 2007.
IMPROVING COMMUNICATIONS. SBC Communications Inc. (www.sbc.com), the megatelecommunications products and services provider, has announced a new contract with Indiana State University. Under the terms of the contract, the company will maintain ISU’s entire voice network for the school’s 1,600 staff and faculty, say SBC spokespeople.
M&A, ETC. ADOBE PLUS MACROMEDIA EQUALS MORE. Adobe (www.adobe.com), the software solutions provider for digital content, has announced a definitive agreement to acquire its competitor, Macromedia (www.macromedia.com). Together, the two companies will provide creative, management, and delivery solutions across multiple operating systems, devices, and media. Doubtless, there will be more to come from the dynamic duo.
MOBILE LEARNING PARTNERSHIP. Extending the vision of content collaboration on campus, Agilix Labs Inc. (www.agilix.com), the mobile learning application provider, has entered into a partnership with enterprise software provider Blackboard (www.blackboard.com) to deliver offline, mobile learning solutions for students, instructors, and system administrators. The partnership will enable users to synchronize educational resources and keep information current on students’ or instructors’ PCs, even when campus networks are unavailable.
PORTABLE MUSIC SUBSCRIPTION SERVICE. Gearing up for the launch of its Ctrax2Go portable music subscription service, Cdigix (www.cdigix.com), digital media service provider to higher ed, recently announced an agreement with Creative Labs (www.creative.com), the digital entertainment products provider. The agreement will offer discounted products and services to Cdigix users that can be purchased on a co-branded site. Cdigix and Creative Labs will also be hitting the road, visiting college campuses with booth promotions, music awareness activities, and raffles (for Ctrax registered users). Ctrax2Go will be available to students, faculty, and staff at partner schools this fall.
PEOPLE NEW ROLES. Konica Minolta Photo Imaging USA Inc. (www.kmpi.konicaminolta.us), the imaging products and services provider, has announced that Todd Schrader will assume the role of senior VP of Sales and Marketing. In his new role, Schrader will have full marketing and sales responsibilities for all camera and photo-imaging products in the US. In related news, Yoshinobu Ito will remain in his current KMPI capacity as executive VP of the Camera Division. Ito was also recently appointed to the role of president and CEO of KMPI Canada Inc.
NEW CTO AT NORTEL. Networking/Communications giant Nortel (www.nortel.com) has named Gary Kunis, former chief science officer at Cisco Systems, as its new CTO. Kunis will lead the strategic vision for the company’s product and technology portfolio. Additionally, Nortel’s board of directors has made senior management changes: Gary Daichendt has been appointed to president and COO, while Bill Owens is now vice president and CEO