Alan Weinkrantz PR Web Log

CopperGate Communications Achieves Five Million HomePNA Chipset Milestone; Announces Purchase of Conexant's HomePlug AV PowerLine Technology

Client, CopperGate Communications has made two significant announcements.

1.  The shipment of 5 million HomePNA chipsets worldwide – making the company the leader in IPTV services over coax and phone wires.  Press release here.

2.  The purchase of the HomePlug AV business from Conexant Systems, Inc. [NASDAQ - CNXT]. Press release here.

CopperGate is now the first semiconductor company with home networking technologies supporting all three wire types – coax, phone and power lines.

Related media coverage here.

The HomePNA Blog has a very helpful post here which talks about G.hn's "Secret Sauce."

Industry Analysts, Charles Wolf with ABI Research blogs about both announcements here.

Momentum for CopperGate continues.  Stay tuned for more!

N-trig Launches New Brand; We're Getting Ready for SID2008

Client, N-trig, has launched its new brand as we are getting ready to ramp up for the upcoming SID2008 Show in LA. If you are a journalist or industry analyst planning to attend and want to meet with N-trig email me:  alan at weinkrantz dot com and I will come back to you with a proposed time.

Engadget Gives Dell Latitude XT- Based on Client, N-trig's Duo Sense Technology, Editors Choice Award for Best Tablet PC of The Year

One of my personal favorite gadget blogs, Engadget, has awarded Dell Computer with its award as being the best Tablet PC of 2007.

Launched last November, Dell's Latitude XT, was the company's first entry into the tablet space.  The core Dual Mode technology for this computer comes from client, N-trig.

"Gotta Be Mobile" Innovates With With Its "InkShow" Review Series - And This Just In.... Bob Bushway Strips The Machine Down to Its Bare Bones...

Bob Bushway, over at GottaBeMobile, has an innovative approach to reviewing mobile related devices such as notebooks and tablet PC.s

In this episode, he reviews the pen and touch technology on the Dell Latitude Xt which is based on client, N-trig's Capacitive Touch technology, which he says has the best touch + pen experience on the market. "It is smooth, soft, and accurate, allowing for a more intuitive user experience than currently available in passive or other dual-mode offerings," says Bob.

Check this post, where he tears the unit down to see what's under the hood.  Well done!

Texas Israel Chamber Event in Austin Brings U.S. and Israeli Business Leaders Together

Last night's Texas Israel Chamber of Commerce dinner brought together leading business leaders from Texas and Israel to discuss mutual business opportunities for trade and investment.

Client, Rick Seger, President of N-trig USA was a featured speaker sharing the panel with Israel Venture Association President, Orna Berry and BIRD Foundation Executive Director, Dr. Eitan Yudilevich.

Client, N-trig, Hires New Vice President

Client, N-trig, the provider of DuoSense™ technology combining pen and zero-pressure touch for mobile and fixed computers into a single device, announced today that Yaki Luzon has joined the company as its Vice President of Research, Development and Engineering. 

Mr. Luzon joins N-trig from Cisco Systems Israel, where he served as Director of SW Development and QA, managing development of Service Applications (security and service control) for the Service Provider market.  Prior to that, he was the Founder, Acting CEO and VP of Marketing of PacketLight Networks.  Before PacketLight, Mr. Luzon filled multiple roles at 3Com Design Center in Israel, including Design Center General Manager, Director of Marketing, and Program Manager.

Download the press release here:

Download ntrig_hires_vp_of_rd_final2.doc

 

Tower Semiconductor Ramps-Up Production of Client, N-trig's Digitizer Chips

Tower Semiconductor, Ltd. (NASDAQ: TSEM; TASE: TSEM), an independent specialty wafer foundry, and client, N-trig, the provider of DuoSense(TM) technology, combining pen and zero-pressure touch for mobile computers into a single device, today announced ramp-up of production of N-trig's A-trig and D-trig - the newest digitizer chipset to be integrated in OEMs computer systems.

N-trig’s DuoSense digitizers are thinner and more integrated solution, providing the ultimate human interface experience.  Its zero-pressure touch enables the best touch and pen experience on the market and is based on capacitive touch instead of traditional resistive touch. It is the only digitizer currently available that fully enables all the capabilities of the latest mobile platforms. DuoSense digitizers are implemented using Tower’s Fab2 0.18-micron advanced process. Tower is the leading provider of the A-trig and D-trig products’ silicon wafers.

Download the press release here.

EL AL Israel Airlines Selects Promisec for Clientless Endpoint Security Management

Client, Promisec™ Inc., a technology leader in clientless solutions to enforce the security, compliance and integrity of endpoints and servers, today announced that EL AL Israel Airlines has chosen Promisec Spectator™ Professional to protect its mission critical networks.

EL AL Israel Airlines, the world leader in airline safety and security, and voted this month as the airline with the best security by “Global Traveler Magazine”, selected Promisec over alternative choices to defend its internal networks by enforcing corporate security policies across their LAN and WAN and providing centralized control and visibility of their endpoints and servers.

Download the Press Release here:

Download el_al_release_final.doc

Subscribe to the Promisec Blog here.

10 Take-Aways From My Trip to Israel

Here are ten take-aways from my recent business development trip to Israel...

1.  The sinking dollar is hurting the export economy.  I used to get 4.30 Shekels to the dollar.  Now, I get 3.40.  This is a big spread.  It affects people who retired in Israel and draw their money from a U.S. bank or investment fund.  It affects American companies buying Israeli good and services.  It affects the tourism trade here as well.  On the other hand, it's good for Israeli companies buying U.S. goods and services - at a 20% discount.

2.  Traffic has gotten....progressively worse.  It just takes longer and longer to get to  meetings.  I scheduled my meetings during off hours, or just planned on spending lots more time in traffic. 

3.  There are venture capital investments being made.  I see this in the companies I met with who are just getting funded, drawing on recent funds from being funded, or raising money from wealthy individuals or angels.

4. Most of the people I have spoken to would prefer John McCain as our next President.

McCain was recently here last week and was traveling with Joe Lieberman, who I could see playing a role in a McCain Presidency

I could also see McCain working with Clinton (Bill, that is) in some kind of relationship or outreach role with Israel.

5.  The planes are full, coming and going.  Delta is adding another flight from New York and and as summer ramps up, there remains a good and healthy tourism and technology economy.

6. Building new homes in settlements continue.  And that's a good thing.

I met with one client who is just completing the building of his home about 15 miles from Bethlehem.  I really admire what he is doing, his commitment to settling here, and settling in a land that belongs to the Jewish people. 

7.  I gained about five pounds. 

Yes, I ate too much. 

Not bad stuff. 

Just lots of great falafel, schwarma, wonderful pastries, and great wine. 

It was worth it.

8. My 16 year old is having a great life experience here. 

She is spending the second half of her Sophomore year in High School on the EIE NFTY High School Program.

If you have a  high school student, consider sending your child on any of the various programs offered from here.

9. It's perfectly safe here. 

Yes, there are problems at times, but they are the same back in the U.S., or anywhere in the world. 

I strongly encourage you to travel, enjoy, learn, expand your horizons and if you are in business, check out the many business opportunities  here.

10.  The hotels have gotten a bit pricier.  I don't know if it's due to the increase in demand from more tourism or the sinking dollar. 

Regardless, I came, had a great week, look forward again some time in 2008.

This Is Not The Israel You See on CNN....

When I travel to Israel, the most often asked question I get is this:  is it really safe to go there?

The answer is- Yes.  Big Time.  And then some.

The U.S. media - and in particular the likes of CNN never tends to illustrate the positive aspects of what is going on here.

There is a vibrant high tech economy, the Israeli Shekel is very strong - so strong that the government just bought $500 million worth of U.S. Dollars to show its faith in our economy.

I am meeting with current clients, like N-trig, CopperGate, and Promisec, plus other prospective clients who are funded, raising money, looking at exit strategies now, and in the future.

This is one of the most positive trips I have taken in terms of future opportunities to work and serve Israel's technology economy.

Photo by Alan Weinkrantz in Tel Aviv (c) 2008