• SkyCross, a global wireless company providing antenna-centric RF solutions, announced it has been selected by Nollenberger Capital Partners (NCPI) for the Top 200 Private Technology Companies of 2008 list. Based on proprietary and industry-wide analysis, NCPI anticipates that these firms will achieve a liquidity event or raise capital at an uptick valuation in the next 12 to 24 months. According to SkyCross, it was chosen based on its leadership in the next wave of disruptive and innovative technologies. NCPI examined thousands of private company business models, financials and management teams that are transforming current markets and creating new opportunities.
• In a show of support for survivors of the natural disasters that occurred last month in China and Myanmar, Verizon Wireless is enabling its customers across the United States to join in the relief efforts by donating money to Save the Children, an agency that implements programs focused on early childhood health and development, child survival and child protection. To participate, Verizon customers can send a message to the address 4SAVE (47283) with the key word “quake” to contribute to earthquake relief or the key word “cyclone” to contribute to cyclone relief. Texters will receive a reply message asking them to confirm a donation to Save the Children of $5 for the designated program. To do so, customers will press “Y” on their keypad and then send that message. Customers wishing to donate more than once can send up to four additional text messages to 4SAVE, for a total contribution of $25 to each effort. Donations will appear on the customer’s next monthly bill, and the entire amount of each donation will be provided to Save the Children. The program will end on July 31, 2008.
• Zumobi has announced its latest release for Windows Mobile. The updated application delivers new features and functionality to improve use. New features include: a Tile Wizard, which allows users to easily create their own Zumobi mobile widgets; Tile Gallery, which enables users to select and upload Tiles directly from their mobile handset, allowing Zumobi users to explore and swap new content in and out while on-the-go; and a streamlined client for faster downloads of the application and a smaller on-phone footprint.
• U.K.-based software company Calton Hill says it has developed mobile phone and memory card software that allows people to watch movies on mobile phones with the film studio retaining full copyright protection. The company’s SecureSharing technology satisfies the film studios by using military grade security standards to protect their content against hacking and copying, but also satisfies consumers by allowing them to view the films they have bought where and when they want, using SD cards. And, for the first time ever, consumers can also legally lend or gift the SD card with their copy of the film to someone else, a feature previously prohibited by earlier digital rights management (DRM) technologies. Films are stored on the card in encrypted form and cannot be decrypted without a set of keys. The keys are stored in a secure area of the card that can be read only by Calton Hill’s DRM Client software program.
• Huawei announced that it has signed a contract with Bangladesh operator Grameenphone for a large-scale capacity expansion and enhancement of Next Generation GSM Core and Radio network. Huawei’s latest multi-platform All-IP solutions promise to enable the convergence of radio access networks, providing a smooth evolution to 3G and future access technologies. Grameenphone is the largest telecom service provider in Bangladesh with more than 18 million subscribers as of May. Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed.
• Samsung Electronics announced that its mobile application processor technology is powering the industry’s first Internet-connected portable navigation device (PND). Samsung’s application processor technology provides Dash Navigation with a high-performance, cost-effective solution for its Dash Express device.
• ECI Telecom, known for optical networking gear and multiservice routers, now is adding microwave radio to its catalog. The radio technology is based on Ceragon Networks’ FibeAir IP and SDH product lines, moving up to 500 Mbps per radio carrier when used with ECI’s XDM and Broad-Gate Multi-Service Provisioning Platform.
• Symmetricom announced the TimeProvider 500, an access timing translator device to help synchronize the time and frequency in GSM and UMTS wireless networks. It can help carriers increase uptime and reduce dependency on T1/E1 connections. The 500 complies with the Precision Time Protocol standard (IEEE 1588 v2). It will ship in the third quarter for less than $1,000.
