Alliance Expands Leadership, Increases Retail Focus in 2008
PORTLAND, Ore. March 11, 2008 Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) today announced the addition of ACCESS, AWOX, Cisco, and Macrovision to Promoter-level status in the organization. These four companies join the alliance's existing Promoter members in leading DLNA toward its vision of a digital living lifestyle.
DLNA Promoter companies lead more than 250 members from 23 countries working together to enable networked interoperability among personal computing (PC), consumer electronics (CE), and mobile devices in and beyond the home. Promoter members are appointed by the alliance's board of directors, and play a pivotal role within the organization by chairing the committees that develop and revise Design Guidelines, and by ratifying the Guidelines produced in those committees.
"DLNA is pleased to welcome these four companies as our newest Promoters," said Scott Smyers, president and chairman of DLNA. "We continue to strengthen the leadership of DLNA as we continuously improve and expand our Design Guidelines and certification program, while campaigning to further raise awareness of the benefits that DLNA CERTIFIED products bring to the digital living experience for consumers."
DLNA will continue to broaden its work with retailers this year, equipping them with support materials to help them introduce the digital living experience to consumers. Retail-focused activities will include a retail training and recruitment program and participation in Gartner's spring Retail-Vision events.
With these four additions, the DLNA Promoter group now includes: ACCESS, AMD, AWOX, Broadcom, Cisco, Comcast New Media Development, DigiOn, HP, Huawei, IBM, Intel, Kenwood, Lenovo, LG Electronics, Macrovision, Microsoft, Motorola, Nokia, NXP Semiconductors, Panasonic (Matsushita Electric Industrial), Philips, Pioneer, Samsung, Sharp, Sony, and Toshiba.
More information on DLNA is available at www.dlna.org.
New DLNA Promoter Member Quotes and Backgrounders
ACCESS
"ACCESS welcomes the opportunity to support DLNA as a Promoter member. We firmly believe in the importance of standardization. With our long and successful history of developing software technologies that promote convergence among mobile handsets and Internet-enabled devices, ACCESS looks forward to playing a leading role in hastening the launch of products that meet advanced DLNA guidelines."
Toru Arakawa, CEO, president and co-founder, ACCESS
About ACCESS
ACCESS CO., LTD. is a global company providing leading technology, software products and platforms for Web browsing, mobile phones, wireless handhelds, and other networked devices. ACCESS' product portfolio, including its NetFront Browser, Garnet OS (formerly Palm OS®) and ACCESS Linux Platform, provides customers with solutions that enable faster time to market, flexibility and customizability. The company, headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, operates 29 subsidiaries and affiliates within Asia, Europe and the United States. ACCESS is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange Mother's Index under the number 4813. For more information about ACCESS, please visit http://www.access-company.com/
AwoX
"AwoX is further strengthening its commitment to the DLNA technology specifications by upgrading to Promoter membership. We believe that the DLNA guidelines are already the de facto guidelines for home networks. As more and more devices become connected, it is increasingly important to promote guidelines for established standards, ensuring that these devices can interoperate seamlessly." Alain Molinié, CEO and co-founder of AwoX
About AwoX
AwoX provides network media solutions around the globe for consumer electronics based on mediaCTRL, its DLNAcertified middleware. mediaCTRL enables digital audio and video devices to seamlessly stream video, music and photos on people's home networks. AwoX mediaCTRL technology is at the heart of all AwoX audio and video connectivity accessories. AwoX is a member of UPnP Forum and UPnP Implementation Consortium, and a promoter member of the Digital Living Network Alliance. Founded in 2003, Awox has its headquarters in Montpellier, France, and branch office in Singapore. AwoX is backed by Innovacom, BNP Paribas Private Equity, Soridec and CIC Capital Privé. For details, please visit http://www.AwoX.com/
Cisco Systems
"For several years, we have been developing and promoting technology to provide the benefits of digital content delivery within and away from the home. Enhancing our DLNA membership to Promoter level furthers our commitment to leadership in this area and strengthens the scope of our technology roadmap. It also provides added momentum to our consumer initiatives in retail and service provider markets, and helps expand our ability to meet the growing demand from consumers to live the Connected Life."
Bob McIntyre, chief technical officer, Cisco Service Provider Group
About Cisco Systems
Cisco, (NASDAQ: CSCO), is the worldwide leader in networking that transforms how people connect, communicate and collaborate. Information about Cisco can be found at http://www.cisco.com. For ongoing news, please go to http://newsroom.cisco.com.
Macrovision
"The DLNA represents the future of digital living and how we, as consumers, will have more options and flexibility in enjoying our favorite digital media across consumer electronic devices. As a bridge between consumer electronic companies and entertainment, Macrovision is excited to be a part of the leadership as well as an active participant within the DLNA. We are committed to guiding the alliance to help develop an open environment that hides complexity from the end user and focuses in the best entertainment experience."
Eric Free, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Embedded Solution, Macrovision
About Macrovision
Macrovision provides a broad set of solutions that enable businesses to protect, enhance and distribute their digital goods to consumers across multiple channels. The company's All Media Guide content database service enables consumers to access information on music, movies and games in order to enhance their overall experience with content and devices. Macrovision solutions are deployed by companies in the entertainment, consumer electronics, gaming, software, information publishing, online distribution and corporate IT markets to solve industry- specific challenges and bring greater value to their customers. More information about Macrovision can be found at www.macrovision.com.
About DLNA
Members of Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) share a vision of an interoperable network of personal computers (PC), consumer electronics (CE) and mobile devices in and beyond the home, enabling a seamless environment for sharing and growing new digital media and content services. Founded in 2003, the group established and maintains a platform of interoperability based on open and established industry standards that, when used by manufacturers will support the sharing of media through wired or wireless networks. More than 250 multi-industry companies from around the world have joined DLNA, committing the time and resources necessary to achieve their vision. Additional information about the alliance, its participating companies and membership information is available at www.dlna.org.