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Date

Motorola, Agile TV Developing Voice Command-Activated Set-Tops

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 30, 2004 - 4:06pm.
Horsham, Penn. -- Motorola announced that it has partnered with speech software maker AgileTV to develop digital TV set-top boxes that respond to voice commands. A remote control with an integrated microphone allows users to navigate the interactive program guide and on-demand services using phrases like "Find The Sopranos," "Scan Sitcoms" or "Find Movies with Julia Roberts." Menlo Park, Calif.-based AgileTV's software recognizes over 100,000 phrases and deciphers multiple languages, and was recently field tested on Motorola DCT2000 set-tops with USA Media cable TV subscribers.
tags: Motorola | Agile TV | Developing Voice Command-Activated Set-Tops |

Digital Recorders Inc. Raises $5 Million

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 30, 2004 - 3:51pm.
Durham, N.C. -- Digital Recorders, a provider of digital communications and audio technology for the transportation and law enforcement markets, has raised $5 million in a private placement of stock with a group of institutional investors. The North Carolina-based company sold 625,000 shares of common stock for $8.00 a share.
tags: VC | Digital Recorders Inc |

LGBT Internet Network PlanetOut Files For $75 Million IPO

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 30, 2004 - 3:11am.
San Francisco, Calif. -- PlanetOut Inc., an Internet media company focused on the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community, has filed registration papers to raise $75 million through an initial public offering (IPO) of its stock. The company said it has a community of 3.3 million active members. It operates a network of websites, including Gay.com, PlanetOut.com, Kleptomaniac.com and Out and About travel.
tags: Internet | VC | IPO | PlanetOut | LGBT |

Senate Judiciary Passes Intellectual Property Bills

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 30, 2004 - 3:07am.
Washington -- The U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee on Thursday approved a number of intellectual property-related bills, which will now be voted on by the entire Senate. Among them is a bill that would make it a crime to bring a camcorder into a movie theater for the purpose of pirating a movie; a similar bill passed in California saw its first arrests earlier this month and charges filed on Thursday. Another bill would expand the authority of the U.S. Justice Dept. in copyright infringement prosecutions, enabling it to file civil lawsuits against suspected pirates instead of solely criminal charges.
tags: Law | Senate | Intellectual Property Bills |

Gaming TV Network EdgeTV Raises $10 Million, Plans 2005 Launch

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on April 30, 2004 - 3:03am.
Los Angeles -- EdgeTV, a new 24-hour cable TV network dedicated to gaming -- both casino gambling and other activities like sports betting, fantasy sports and bridge -- announced on Friday its plans to launch in the first quarter of 2005. The venture is launching with $10 million in seed capital and will be led by Dallas-based legal entrepreneur Reagan Silber and Silicon Valley entrepreneurs and executives Keith Richman and Charles Katz. The company said it is negotiating to host its production and broadcast operation within a major Las Vegas casino. EdgeTV will feature 70% original and 30% acquired programming, and will be advised by Creative Artists Agency (CAA). The network also plans video-on-demand and interactive TV services, which among other things will teach viewers the basics and nuances of a variety of games.
tags: Games | Deals | VC | Edge TV |