Companies news

Activision Blizzard to Webcast Analyst Day Remarks on September 15, 2008

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Activision Blizzard, Inc. today announced that members of senior management, including Robert Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, Inc., will be giving a corporate presentation at its analyst day event on Monday, September 15, 2008 from approximately 1:00pm PT/4:00pm ET to 4:30pm PT/7:30pm ET at the Fairmont Miramar Hotel & Bungalows in Santa Monica, CA.

The presentation will be broadcast over the Internet. To access the webcast, please log on to http://www.activisionblizzard.com/ or: http://phx.corporate-ir.net/playerlink.zhtml?c=60455&s=wm&e=1947067

During the course of the presentation, Activision Blizzard may make forward-looking statements regarding future events or the future financial performance of the company. We wish to caution you that any such statements will be only predictions and that actual events or results may differ materially. We refer you to the company's last Form 10-K and Form 10-Q for a discussion of important risk factors that could cause the actual results to differ materially from any forward looking statements discussed during the course of the presentation.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a worldwide pure-play online, PC and console game publisher with leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry.

Activision Blizzard maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Romania, Australia, Chile, India, Japan China, South Korea and the region of Taiwan. More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be found on the company's website, http://www.activisionblizzard.com/.

Activision Blizzard, Inc.

CONTACT: Maryanne Lataif, Vice President, Corporate Communications,
+1-310-255-2704, mlataif@activision.com, or Kristin Mulvihill Southey, Vice
President, Investor Relations & Treasurer, +1-310-255-2635,
ksouthey@activision.com, both of Activision Blizzard, Inc.

Web site: http://www.activisionblizzard.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/007396.html

Annual Call Center Exhibition (ACCE) 2008 Insight ToursDiscover the Secrets of Call Center Success

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- At the fifth Annual Call Center Exhibition (ACCE), the first day of an education-packed agenda will feature in-depth call center tours.

These tours, guided by International Customer Management Institute (ICMI) industry leaders, are among the many learning opportunities on offer at the event which will take place September 15-18, 2008 at the Phoenix Convention Center in Phoenix, Arizona, a state that is home to a significant number of Fortune 500 companies' Call Centers.

ACCE Insight Tours, offered at each ICMI conference, take attendees behind the scenes of some of the nation's leading customer contact centers to discover best practices, processes and technology that can be leveraged in their own call centers.

"Outstanding customer service has proven to be a significant business differentiator, and ACCE provides its attendees with the information and tools that help ensure Call Center excellence," said Joy Sobhani, Show Director. "Conference attendees tell us that our Insight Tours offer them a myriad of takeaway solutions to enhance their call center operations."

The tours for the 2008 event are: -- Arizona Federal

This tour brings attendees inside the call center of one of Arizona's largest credit unions. Arizona Federal's Teleservices Department services 230,000 member accounts at 29 branch locations. The call center's 96 Teleservices Consultants handle approximately 83,500 calls each month, helping account owners to conduct their financial business over the phone. Arizona Federal is known for its personalized service, and credits its outstanding team members, backed by workforce management; call recording and skill based routing technologies as instrumental to the success of its call center.

-- CIGNA Voluntary

CIGNA Voluntary, a leading provider of limited-benefit health plans for hourly employees, provides benefit plans to more than 47 million people in the U.S. and internationally. On this tour attendees will visit CIGNA Voluntary's Call Center, housed in the company's corporate headquarters in Phoenix. CIGNA Voluntary's Phoenix Call Center receives 500,000 calls per month. This tour showcases technology's role in streamlining call center processes and demonstrates why CIGNA HealthCare has been recognized for call center customer satisfaction excellence for two consecutive years under the J.D. Power and Associates Certified Call Center Program.

-- Salt River Project

Salt River Project (SRP), one of the nation's largest public power utilities and metropolitan Phoenix's largest raw water supplier, provides low cost, dependable water and power services to more than 930,000 people living in the Salt River Valley of Central Arizona. 260 agents at the company's call center handle 3 million calls per year (3 percent in Spanish.) SRP's Call Center mission is to provide a "rewarding, easy, pleasant and solution-focused" experience for its customers. Efficiency is also a primary goal, with team members consistently answering 90 percent of all calls within 30 seconds. This tour spotlights technology tools and concepts attendees can utilize to provide friendly and highly efficient customer service.

Now in its fifth year, ACCE draws business leaders from around the globe. Last year ACCE brought together more than 1700 contact center professionals from over 40 countries and all 50 states. For more information about ACCE 2008 please visit http://www.acce-thinkservices.com/

About Think Services

Think Services connects specialized communities worldwide using innovative media, educational events, consulting, training and certification. Providing comprehensive opportunities for people to learn from, network with, and inspire each other, Think Services builds strong brands and works within communities to foster a unique affinity with its products and services. The division's flagship products include the Game Developers Conference, the Webby Award-winning Gamasutra.com, Game Developer magazine, the International Customer Management Institute, HDI, and Dr. Dobb's Journal. Think Services is a subsidiary of United Business Media, a global provider of news distribution and specialist information services with a market capitalization of more than $2.5 billion. To learn more, visit http://www.think-services.com/.

About United Business Media Limited

United Business Media Limited is a leading global business media company. We inform markets and bring the world's buyers and sellers together at events, online, in print, and with the information they need to do business successfully. We focus on serving professional commercial communities, from doctors to game developers, from journalists to jewellery traders, from farmers to pharmacists around the world. Our 6,500 staff in more than 30 countries are organised into specialist teams that serve these communities, helping them to do business and their markets to work effectively and efficiently.

For more information, go to http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/.

Think Services

CONTACT: Steven Blinn of BlinnPR, +1-212-675-4777, steven@blinnpr.com;
or Rachel Levy of Think Services, +1-609-759-4738, rlevy@think-services.com

Web Site: http://www.acce-thinkservices.com/
http://www.think-services.com/
http://www.unitedbusinessmedia.com/

Dow Jones Insight-2008 Olympics Media Pulse: Beijing Olympics are a Wrap, Phelps and Bolt Win Media Gold

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Results from the Dow Jones Insight- Olympics Media Pulse (http://djinsightolympics.blogspot.com/) show that with the close of one of the most talked about Olympics Games, there are some key brand names -- athletes and corporations -- that have emerged as media favorites.

For the period August 26 through September 8, Michael Phelps was the most- mentioned athlete in social media and an emerging celebrity with his first non-sports related appearance at the MTV Video Music Awards. However, triple gold medalist Usain Bolt of Jamaica gained the lead in traditional media sources. Meanwhile, McDonald's, Coca-Cola and Visa retained their leads among the global sponsors in coverage in traditional and social media sources.

It Won't Take Four More Years for Phelps and Bolt To Hit Headlines

Beijing's Olympic Closing Ceremony is over, the Olympic torch has been extinguished and the countdown to the 2012 Olympic Games in London has begun. But some of the biggest names from the Beijing Games continue to generate media coverage. After eight gold medals and seven world records in eight events, it's no surprise that U.S. swimmer Michael Phelps continued as the most-mentioned athlete among those being tracked by Dow Jones Insight (http://djinsightolympics.blogspot.com/) in social media sources (blogs and boards).

Social Media Presence:

1. Of the 7,907 total mentions in social media sources, Phelps had 4,620, or 58 percent, of the top 10 athletes tracked. Much of this coverage concerned Phelps' appearances after the Games -- including his stint as a presenter at the MTV Video Music Awards -- and confirms his arrival as a full-fledged celebrity.

2. In a distant second to Phelps in social media sources was Bolt, who had 1,183 mentions, for 15 percent.

3. U.S. gymnast Shawn Johnson, who won a silver medal in the women's all- around competition, followed Bolt with 501 mentions, for 6 percent.

4. Her teammate Nastia Liukin, who won the all-around gold medal, and beach volleyball gold medalist Misty May-Treanor each had 5 percent of mentions.

5. U.S. swimmer Dara Torres, who made history when she made the team at the age of 41, had 231 mentions, for 3 percent.

6. Chinese basketball star Yao Ming, U.S. gymnast Paul Hamm and British cyclist Chris Hoy each had 2 percent of mentions. Chinese hurdler Liu Xiang, whose withdrawal due to injury led to a national outpouring of disappointment, rounded out the top 10 with 109 mentions, for 1 percent.

Traditional Media Presence: Phelps and Bolt swapped positions in traditional media sources (print and online).

1. Of the 11,277 total mentions in traditional media sources, Bolt had 3,863, for 34 percent.

2. Phelps was a close second with 3,496 mentions, for 31 percent.

3. Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell was third, with 829 mentions, for 7 percent.

4. Hoy had 690 mentions, for 6 percent.

5. Liukin, May and British swimmer Rebecca Adlington, who won two gold medals, each had 4 percent of mentions.

6. Torres, Johnson and American sprinter Tyson Gay, who failed to qualify for the finals of the men's 100 meters, rounded out the top 10 with 3 percent of mentions each.

It Pays to Play - Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Visa Overall Top Olympics Sponsors

Although the Beijing Olympic Games had 12 global sponsors, three sponsors led coverage in traditional and social media sources in analyses before, during and, now, after the Games. Those three -- Coca-Cola, McDonald's and Visa -- combined to garner 65 percent of coverage in both traditional and social media.

In the weeks leading up to the Games, a significant amount of coverage of these three sponsors was negative, focusing on their implied complicity in China's poor human rights record. Once the Games started, however, coverage of these companies softened somewhat, focusing instead on their presence in Beijing, their commemorative merchandise and their feel-good ads.

Social Media Presence:

1. Coca-Cola had 158 of the 565 total mentions in social media sources analyzed by Dow Jones Insight, for 28 percent

2. McDonald's was second with 135 mentions, for 24 percent 3. Visa was third with 73 mentions, for 13 percent Traditional Media Presence:

1. Of the 768 total mentions in traditional media sources, Coca-Cola had 209 mentions, for 27 percent

2. Visa had 158 mentions, for 21 percent 3. McDonald's had 129 mentions, for 17 percent

Other leading brands that gained media share include GE, Samsung and Lenovo. In social media sources, GE was fourth with 53 mentions, for 9 percent. Samsung had 44 mentions, for 8 percent. Lenovo, the only Chinese company among the global sponsors, and Panasonic each had 5 percent of mentions. Omega and Johnson & Johnson each had 3 percent and Kodak had 2 percent.

In traditional media sources, General Electric had 66 mentions, for 9 percent. Samsung had 60 mentions, for 8 percent, and Lenovo had 54 mentions, for 7 percent. Omega and Johnson & Johnson each had 4 percent of mentions. Atos Origin and Kodak rounded out the top 10, each with 2 percent of mentions. Panasonic and Manulife did not crack the top 10 in traditional media sources.

After Games Finish, Beijing Dims Light on Issues Coverage

In the weeks leading up to the Beijing Olympic Games, the excitement of the Games was tempered by news coverage of a number of issues that cast the host city, and China, in a negative light. The traditional relay of the Olympic torch drew protests from people who objected to China's less-than- stellar human rights record and its relationship with Tibet. There were questions about Beijing's air quality and its possible effects on athletes' health and performance. Coverage of environmental issues peaked with the government's efforts to clean up the air in Beijing and the enormous algae bloom at the sailing venue. There were also concerns about the government's efforts to hinder the media in its access to information and its ability to freely report on the events. And, like other recent Games, the Beijing Games were taking place under the spectre of performance-enhancing drug use.

Since the Closing Ceremonies, however, coverage of these issues has declined significantly. During the period of August 26 to September 7, there were a total of 3,800 mentions in social and traditional media sources analyzed by Dow Jones Insight of issues relating to human rights, the environment, Tibet, media freedom, athlete health and doping. The most- mentioned issue, human rights, declined from 255 mentions on August 26 to 51 mentions on September 5 (data were analyzed to September 5, since September 6- 7 was a weekend, when all coverage tends to be lower). Mentions of China's relationship with Tibet decreased from 147 to 20 during that period. Mentions of media freedom went from 131 on August 26 to 67 on September 5.

Mentions of the environment declined significantly from 121 following August 26, but spiked back up to 92 on September 1. This increase in coverage was driven by stories about Beijing's improved air quality. The government's attempts to improve Beijing's air quality, including restricting driving based on an odd-even license plate schedule, were so successful that the city's air quality was the best it had been in about 10 years. These improvements were so successful that some Beijing residents are calling for the driving restrictions to be extended in an effort to keep the air clean. Following coverage of these stories, mentions of the environment declined again to 28 on September 5.

The Dow Jones Insight-Olympics Media Pulse (http://djinsightolympics.blogspot.com/) provides a high-level view of a competitive media landscape and demonstrates how athletes, sponsors and issues are covered in the media and how that coverage changes over time. Dow Jones Insight combines proven research methodologies, trusted content and advanced text-mining and visualization tools to deliver strategic qualitative and quantitative media measurement metrics. Organizations use the analysis to nurture their reputation, demonstrate the effectiveness of their communications strategies and achieve business objectives. The platform processes nearly a million articles, Web pages, blogs and message board posts per day.

For further information about the Dow Jones Insight solutions visit http://www.dowjonesinsight.com/ and to learn more about The Dow Jones Insight-2008 Presidential Election Media Pulse, please contact Shannon Sullivan at +1 609 627 2312 or shannon.sullivan@dowjones.com.

ABOUT DOW JONES

Dow Jones & Company (http://www.dowjones.com/) is a News Corporation company (NYSE: NWS, NWS.A; ASX: NWS, NWSLV; http://www.newscorp.com/). Dow Jones is a leading provider of global business news and information services. Its Consumer Media Group publishes The Wall Street Journal, Barron's, MarketWatch and the Far Eastern Economic Review. Its Enterprise Media Group includes Dow Jones Newswires, Dow Jones Factiva, Dow Jones Client Solutions, Dow Jones Indexes and Dow Jones Financial Information Services. Its Local Media Group operates community-based information franchises. Dow Jones owns 50% of SmartMoney and 33% of STOXX Ltd. and provides news content to radio stations in the U.S.

Dow Jones & Company

CONTACT: Shannon Sullivan of Enterprise Media Group Public Relations,
+1-609-627-2312, Fax: +1-609-627-2301, shannon.sullivan@dowjones.com

Web site: http://www.dowjones.com/
http://djinsightolympics.blogspot.com/

Anixter International Inc. Enters Into a Letter of Intent to Acquire the Assets and Operations of World Class Wire & Cable Inc.

GLENVIEW, Ill., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Anixter International Inc. , a leading global distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire & cable, fasteners and other small parts, today announced that it had entered into a letter of intent to acquire the assets and operations of World Class Wire & Cable Inc. ("World Class"). Anixter expects to complete the acquisition on or about October 1, 2008 following the finalization of certain contract terms and conditions as well as regulatory approval. Anixter anticipates paying approximately $62 million in cash and will also assume trade liabilities for all of the assets and operations of World Class.

Based near Milwaukee, Wisconsin, World Class is a valued-added distributor of electrical wire and cable. From its single operating site in Waukesha, Wisconsin, World Class generates approximately $60 million per year in annualized sales.

Commenting on the acquisition, Bob Eck, President and CEO of Anixter, said, "World Class has an excellent team that has won many awards for its entrepreneurial drive and track record of growth. We believe the World Class team will be an excellent fit with our existing presence in the wire & cable market in the Midwest. This acquisition positions us well to drive even stronger future organic growth."

Eck continued, "Once completed, we anticipate that this acquisition will be immediately accretive to earnings and add 6 to 8 cents to diluted earnings per share during our first full year of ownership."

About Anixter

Anixter International is a leading global distributor of communication products, electrical and electronic wire & cable, fasteners and other small parts. The company adds value to the distribution process by providing its customers access to 1) innovative inventory management programs, 2) more than 400,000 products and over $1 billion in inventory, 3) 214 warehouses with more than 6 million square feet of space, and 4) locations in 248 cities in 50 countries. Founded in 1957 and headquartered near Chicago, Anixter trades on The New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AXE.

Safe Harbor Statement

The statements in this news release that use such words as "believe," "expect," "intend," "anticipate," "contemplate," "estimate," "plan," "project," "should," "may," or similar expressions are forward-looking statements. They are subject to a number of factors that could cause the company's actual results to differ materially from what is indicated here. These factors include general economic conditions, technology changes, changes in supplier or customer relationships, commodity price fluctuations, exchange rate fluctuations, new or changed competitors and risks associated with integration of recently acquired companies. Please see the company's Securities and Exchange Commission filings for more information.

Additional information about Anixter is available on the Internet at http://www.anixter.com/.

Anixter International Inc.

CONTACT: Dennis Letham, Chief Financial Officer of Anixter International
Inc., +1-224-521-8601; or investor and media inquiries, Chris Kettmann of
Ashton Partners, +1-312-553-6716, for Anixter International Inc.

Web site: http://www.anixter.com/

Overstock.com ouvre ses portes à une clientèle internationale

SALT LAKE CITY, September 9 /PRNewswire/ --

- Des produits désormais disponibles au niveau international dans 34 pays

Overstock.com, Inc. (Nasdaq : OSTK) a annoncé aujourd'hui que le détaillant en ligne à prix discount était désormais en mesure de proposer ses produits à de nouveaux clients internationaux dans 34 pays, notamment au Canada, au Royaume-Uni et dans l'Union européenne.

Les consommateurs internationaux peuvent désormais rechercher, naviguer et acheter plus de 600 000 produits à des prix réduits, payables dans leur devise locale, sur le site http://www.overstock.com.

<< De nombreux marchés internationaux sont mal desservis par la vente au détail sur Internet >>, souligne Patrick Byrne, président du conseil et PDG de Overstock.com. << En raison de la faiblesse du dollar, le contexte n'a jamais été aussi favorable aux clients internationaux pour l'achat des produits américains, ce qui représente une occasion exceptionnelle pour notre entreprise. >>

Les acheteurs internationaux peuvent désormais retrouver des milliers de produits de 10 grandes catégories. Le site localise ses visiteurs et affiche les prix dans leur devise locale, avec un ajustement automatique en fonction des fluctuations quotidiennes des taux de change. Overstock.com a inauguré ses activités internationales par un prélancement le 27 aoÃ»t, pour lequel la société n'a enregistré ni difficulté ni baisse d'activité.

<< Notre objectif était de proposer à notre clientèle internationale un processus d'achat aussi simple que possible, et les premiers résultats sont vraiment encourageants >>, se félicite Jake Bailey, directeur des activités internationales chez Overstock.com. << Dès le premier jour, nous avons reçu des commandes en provenance de 17 pays différents, sans le moindre investissement de marketing >>, a ajouté M. Bailey.

Overstock.com a initialement annoncé son projet d'expansion internationale en mai 2008 (http://e4x.com/news_04.html) via son partenaire E4X. Après cette annonce, le site de la société a enregistré une augmentation considérable du trafic international.

<< Devant le nombre important de visiteurs internationaux qui se connectent sur notre site, nous avons décidé qu'il était temps de faire profiter ces nouveaux consommateurs des offres d'Overstock.com >>, ajoute M. Byrne. << Nous avons commencé avec ces 34 pays, mais nous prévoyons d'augmenter ce nombre au cours de l'année prochaine >>.

A propos d'Overstock.com

Overstock.com, Inc. est une société de vente au détail sur Internet proposant des articles de marque à des prix discount. Sur son site, les consommateurs ont la possibilité de dénicher la bonne affaire de façon simple et pratique, tandis que les fournisseurs y trouvent une autre manière de gérer leur canal de distribution et leur stock. Overstock.com, dont le siège se situe à Salt Lake City, est une société cotée au NASDAQ Global Market, et accessible en ligne sur http://www.overstock.com.

Overstock.com(R) est une marque déposée d'Overstock.com, Inc. Toutes les autres marques sont la propriété de leurs détenteurs respectifs.

Ce communiqué de presse contient des énoncés prospectifs au sens de l'article 27A de la loi Securities Act de 1933 et de l'article 21E de la Securities Exchange Act de 1934. Ces énoncés prospectifs contiennent, sans toutefois s'y limiter, des commentaires sur le nombre de produits et de catégories de produits proposés aux consommateurs internationaux, sur le nombre de pays dans lesquels les clients peuvent se procurer les produits vendus sur Overstock.com, sur les prévisions concernant le calendrier de lancement ainsi que sur la fluidité du processus d'achat pour sa clientèle internationale. Les facteurs qui pourraient entraîner un écart considérable entre les résultats réels et ceux exprimés dans nos prévisions, estimations et énoncés prospectifs sont repris dans notre formulaire 10 K pour l'exercice clos au 31 décembre 2007, nos rapports trimestriels suivants dans le formulaire 10 Q ou toute modification y étant apportée, ainsi que dans les autres rapports déposés auprès de la Securities and Exchange Commission.

Site Web : http://www.overstock.com http://e4x.com/news_04.html

Overstock.com, Inc.

Médias, Josh Austin, +1-801-947-4364, joaustin@overstock.com, ou investisseurs, Kevin Moon, +1-801-947-3282, kmoon@overstock.com, tous deux d'Overstock.com, Inc.

iFinix Corp. Adds New Member to Its Board of Directors

GARDEN CITY, N.Y., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- iFinix Corp. (Pink Sheets: INIX), a provider of real-time financial information and services to active traders and to the securities industry, announced today that it has added Mr. Kevin Henlon to its Board, as Director of Strategic Planning.

Mr. Henlon is a former Senior Auditor at PricewaterhouseCoopers where he was responsible for providing comprehensive financial, economic strategic advice and solutions to companies with complex business problems. Mr. Henlon's other duties included preparation of policies and procedures with respect to internal controls to assist companies for Sarbanes Oxley Section 404 certification. He also prepared audited financial statements for both SEC and non-SEC clients ensuring compliance with GAAP. His client base included: Venture Capital Fund of America, Thomson Learning (Division of Thomson Corporation), Advertising Council Inc., Quigo Technology Inc., & Interpublic.

iFinix CEO Benhope Munroe stated, "I am very pleased to have Mr. Henlon joining the Board of Directors. His knowledge in the above mentioned areas will be invaluable in building the future of the company. I am certain his expertise in corporate strategic planning and SEC related matters will prove him to be a great asset to the company.

"Also, we expect to announce the addition of another highly experienced member to the Board of Directors later this week. I hope it has become evident that iFinix now is dedicated to build an experienced team which will drive iFinix in an exciting new direction. As promised I will keep our shareholders up to date on any new developments."

About iFinix Corp.

iFinix is a diversified information technology services and solutions company with expertise in systems integration, outsourcing, infrastructure and server technology. iFinix has established a product line that delivers financial and business information with streaming, real-time market data, news and analytics to professionals and active individual investors. The company's suite of products includes iFinix RealTime, iFinix Trader and eFinix. Visit http://www.ifinix.com/.

Legal Notice Regarding Forward-Looking Statements:

Safe Harbor: This press release contains forward-looking information within the meaning of section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and is subject to the Safe Harbor created by those sections. This material contains statements about expected future events and/or financial results that are forward-looking in nature and subject to risks and uncertainties. Such forward-looking statements by definition involve risks, uncertainties and other factors, which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of iFinix Corporation to be materially different from the statements made herein.

Contact: iFinix Corporation Investor Relations 516-504-3981 x301

iFinix Corp.

CONTACT: Investor Relations of iFinix Corporation, +1-516-504-3981,
ext. 301

Web site: http://www.ifinix.com/

Travelport Launches Updated Website Featuring an Innovative Media Center

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Travelport, one of the world's largest travel conglomerates, has re-launched its company website. Accessible via the URL http://www.travelport.com/, the site is re-designed to be more user-friendly and easier to navigate and to provide in-depth information on the travel and tourism industry. At the forefront of the updated website is a new interactive media center.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061023/NYM260LOGO )

The new media center will offer convenient travel research tools, including access to extensive data generated by Travelport GDS, a global distribution system business that includes the Worldspan and Galileo brands. Travelport GDS processes more than 20,000 transactions a second and performs over 46 million travel-related searches per day. The data that Travelport generates through the operation of its travel reservation business is a unique resource for insights into the travel industry. Business Intelligence by Travelport, its data analysis unit, continually analyzes the collected data to identify travel trends, and provide insight into economic and emerging market activity.

"We are excited about the breadth and depth of information we are able to provide on the re-launched website, particularly with the interactive media center," said Jon Hall, Chief Marketing Officer of Travelport. "We believe that Travelport's media center offers unique and unrivaled materials which provide views into the travel sector as well as emerging trends in the economy,"

Current highlights on the re-launched website include three travel insight stories:

-- The first examines travel trends between the US and China. While the overall medium to long-term trend for travel between China and the United States remains positive, the most recent three-month period (through May 2008) has been negatively affected by declining travel volumes, primarily for travel booked in the US.

-- Economic expansion in Asia and Russia is the focus of the second story, which looks at how this expansion has played a role in robust growth in air travel between the two regions, having grown in excess of 20 percent in the past year.

-- The last insight story highlights growing economic ties between China and the Middle East, which are significantly boosting demand for travel between the two regions. In the 12-month period through May 2008, travel was up almost 30 percent between the two regions, compared to the year before.

Other elements of the media center include an executive blog and case studies examining thoughts and ideas from Travelport's senior leadership team regarding the travel and tourism sector. These new features are additions to materials previously available on the website, including corporate and brand press releases, whitepapers and executive bios.

About Travelport

Travelport is one of the world's largest travel conglomerates offering broad based business services to companies operating in the global travel industry. The company is comprised of Travelport GDS, a global distribution system business that includes the Worldspan and Galileo brands; GTA, a group travel and wholesale hotel business; Business Intelligence by Travelport, a data analysis business; and IT Services and Software, which hosts mission critical applications and provides business solutions for major airlines.

Travelport also owns approximately 48% of Orbitz Worldwide , a leading global online travel company. With on-going annual revenues of approximately $2.6 billion, Travelport operates in 145 countries and has approximately 6,000 employees.

Travelport is a private company owned by The Blackstone Group, One Equity Partners, Technology Crossover Ventures and Travelport management.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20061023/NYM260LOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Travelport

CONTACT: Kelli Segal, Travelport, +1-212-915-9155,
Kelli.segal@travelport.com

Web Site: http://www.travelport.com/

Micromem Hires The Investor Relations Group To Broaden Company AwarenessMagnetic Random Access Memory (MRAM) and Sensor Technology Company To Initiate Strategic Investor and Media Outreach

TORONTO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Micromem Technologies Inc. (OTC BB: MMTIF) has retained The Investor Relations Group, Inc. ("IRG"), a thirteen-year-old, highly recognized corporate communications firm based in New York City, to serve as its national public relations and investor relations firm.

IRG's award-winning public relations department will reach out to the media-at-large, namely editors, writers, and producers of local and national trade and consumer print, radio, broadcast, and online media outlets, with the primary focus of educating the public about Micromem's unique technology. Simultaneously, IRG's investor relations team will use its proprietary competitive analysis, strategies, and extensive databases to target the broad scope of the investment community, including portfolio managers and analysts. The program will include pre-qualified one-on-one introductions, e-mails to those that have opted-in for communication, and general traditional outreach.

"We felt it was important to hire a firm that could accurately communicate Micromem's message to the investment community, the media, and the public-at-large," said Joseph Fuda, Chief Executive Officer of Micromem. "As our company continues to pioneer the forefront of the magnetic random access memory (MRAM) technology, IRG will play an integral role in communicating Micromem's message. With our partnerships and commercialization efforts continuing to move forward, we are excited to communicate Micromem's story to investors and the media alike."

Listing: NASD OTC-Bulletin Board - Symbol: "MMTIF" Shares issued: 82,323,779 SEC File No: 0-26005 About The Investor Relations Group, Inc. -----------------------------------------

The Investor Relations Group, Inc. (IRG) offers a full-service corporate communications program designed to suit the many unique needs of Alternative Public Offering (APO) companies. The program utilizes a proprietary, targeted approach to reach institutional investors, analysts, and the media-at-large. For further information, please visit the company's website at http://www.investorrelationsgroup.com/.

About Micromem Technologies Inc. ---------------------------------

Micromem Technologies Inc. (http://www.micromeminc.com/) is focused on the development of magnetic random access memory (MRAM) and sensor technology.

Safe Harbor Statement ----------------------

This press release contains forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks, assumptions and uncertainties that could cause the Company's actual results to differ materially from those projected in such forward-looking statements. In particular, factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in forward looking statements include, our inability to obtain additional financing on acceptable terms, risk that our products and services will not gain widespread market acceptance; continued consumer adoption of digital technology, inability to compete with others who provide comparable products, the failure of our technology, inability to respond to consumer and technological demands, inability to replace significant customers; seasonal nature of our business and other risks detailed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date made and are not guarantees of future performance. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. When used in this document, the words "believe," "expect," "anticipate," "estimate," "project," "plan," "should," "intend," "may," "will," "would," "potential," and similar expressions may be used to identify forward-looking statements.

Micromem Technologies Inc.

CONTACT: The Investor Relations Group, Inc., (212) 825-3210, Adam
Holdsworth - Erica Ruderman - Brett Foley or Public Relations, Susan
Morgenbesser - Andrew Conn

Verizon Wireless Opens 'Store-Within-A-Store' at Circuit City's Newest Location in Co-Op City

BRONX, N.Y., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- Verizon Wireless this week expanded its retail presence with the addition of a new store at Circuit City's newest location on 1750 East Gun Hill Road in the Co-Op City section of the Bronx. The "store-within-a-store" concept provides Circuit City customers easy access to the latest wireless phones and accessories, plus a variety of service plans on the nation's most reliable wireless network.

The new Verizon Wireless store at Circuit City in Co-Op City is open from 10:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Monday through Saturday, and from 11:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday.

"The high cost of fuel and today's busy lifestyles require all of us to combine errands and shopping trips whenever possible," said Wilfredo Rivera, manager of the new Verizon Wireless store. "By placing Verizon Wireless employees in Circuit City locations, customers get added convenience and assistance from the best wireless salespeople in the industry."

Circuit City customers will be able to take advantage of the same services available at all Verizon Wireless Communications Stores and can expect the same high-quality products and services.

The store is staffed by knowledgeable wireless professionals who offer consumers a broad range of equipment and services, including a new line-up of devices that combine V CAST music capabilities with full QWERTY keyboards for the "thumb" generation; the new LG Decoy, the world's first phone with a built-in, detachable Bluetooth(R) hands-free headset; and VZ Navigator (Verizon 4.0) which adds traffic and gas station information to audible turn-by-turn directions.

Demand for Verizon Wireless services continued during the second quarter of 2008 when the company added 1.5 million new customers, and continued its industry-leading customer loyalty rates. Verizon Wireless now serves more than 68.7 million customers nationwide.

The new store is the company's third location in the Bronx and one of more than 140 stores throughout the New York/New Jersey metro area.

About Verizon Wireless

Verizon Wireless operates the nation's most reliable wireless voice and data network, serving 68.7 million customers. Headquartered in Basking Ridge, N.J., with 69,000 employees nationwide, Verizon Wireless is a joint venture of Verizon Communications and Vodafone (NYSE and LSE: VOD). For more information, go to: http://www.verizonwireless.com/. To preview and request broadcast-quality video footage and high-resolution stills of Verizon Wireless operations, log on to the Verizon Wireless Multimedia Library at http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia.

Verizon Wireless

CONTACT: David Samberg of Verizon Wireless, +1-845-365-7212,
David.Samberg@VerizonWireless.com, or Kim Ancin, +1-845-429-3839,
kimberly.ancin@vivianipr.com, for Verizon Wireless

Web site: http://www.verizonwireless.com/
http://www.verizonwireless.com/multimedia

App Store Downloads Top 100 Million Worldwide

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today announced that iPhone(TM) and iPod(R) touch users have downloaded more than 100 million applications from its groundbreaking new App Store since its launch on July 11, 2008. More than 3,000 applications are currently available on the App Store, with over 90 percent priced at less than $10 and more than 600 offered for free. Applications can take advantage of iPhone's large display, innovative Multi-Touch(TM) user interface, fast hardware-accelerated 3D graphics, built-in accelerometer and location-based technology to create mobile applications unlike any seen before.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/AQTU548)

"iPhone's unique capabilities, easy SDK and the ability to reach an audience of millions via the App Store made this an easy development choice for us," said John Pollard, Jott CEO. "To date, we've had hundreds of thousands of downloads of Jott for iPhone, which has been a major win for our company."

"Because I already had a full-time job I used the iPhone SDK to create Trisim in my spare time and in my wildest dreams I never expected this kind of result," said Steve Demeter, founder of Demiforce. "Selling over 27,000 downloads in the first three weeks means I now have a significant new income stream and some exciting career choices that I didn't have a couple of months ago."

"As an 18 year old iPhone Developer Program member I won an Apple WWDC student scholarship and used the opportunity to complete my app over the summer," said Bryan Henry, developer of Equivalence. "It was a lot of fun to pull it together and certainly the most lucrative summer job I've ever had as I made over $8,000 in my first month of App Store sales."

"Our new account registrations on the App Store are 300 percent better than all our other registration avenues combined," said Chris MacAskill, SmugMug's co-founder. "We've been able to do things with our iPhone app that we just couldn't have dreamed of doing on any other mobile platform, so these are revolutionary times for us and for iPhone and iPod touch users."

The App Store on iPhone works over cellular networks and Wi-Fi, so users can wirelessly download applications directly onto their iPhone or iPod touch and start using them immediately. Applications are free or charged to the user's iTunes(R) account and the App Store notifies the user when updates are available for their apps. The App Store is also available on iTunes (http://www.itunes.com/) for Mac(R) or PC, which syncs applications to the iPhone or iPod touch using a USB cable.

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award-winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (http://www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

(C) 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPhone, iPod, Multi-Touch and iTunes are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/AQTU548
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Apple

CONTACT: Simon Pope, +1-408-974-0457, simonp@apple.com, or Jennifer
Bowcock, +1-408-974-9758, jennifer.b@apple.com, both of Apple

Web site: http://www.apple.com/

NBC Universal Returns to the iTunes StoreAll-Star Lineup Includes 'Heroes,' 'The Office,' 'Battlestar Galactica' & '30 Rock'Top Rated NBC Comedies & Dramas Now Available on iTunes in Stunning HD

NEW YORK and SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) and NBC Universal today announced the return of NBC programming to the iTunes(R) Store (http://www.itunes.com/) including NBC networks' top 10 series available immediately for purchase and download in both standard definition and stunning high definition. iTunes customers can choose programming from NBC, USA Network, SCI FI Channel, Bravo, Sleuth and NBC News including favorites such as the award-winning and critically acclaimed "Heroes," and the Emmy award-winning programs "The Office," "Battlestar Galactica" and "30 Rock." NBCU standard definition television shows on the iTunes Store are $1.99 per episode and HD programs are available for just one dollar more at $2.99 per episode and select library content is available for $.99. Additional NBCU programming from Oxygen, Telemundo, Mun2 and NBC Sports will be available on iTunes soon.

"The return of our shows to iTunes is terrific news for everyone who loves television and the ease and convenience of Apple's iTunes," said Jeff Zucker, President and CEO, NBC Universal. "And now, by offering consumers a variety of new options, our fans have even more ways to enjoy our content."

"We are thrilled that NBC is back on iTunes in time for the Fall TV season," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "NBC has some of TV's most popular shows and now customers can purchase and download them from iTunes in SD or stunning HD."

iTunes customers can also purchase a Season Pass which allows viewers to buy an entire season of programming at a discounted price. In addition, NBC Universal is offering one free episode from each of their top series, available in either SD or HD, on the iTunes Store for the next two weeks. The premiere episodes of upcoming NBC shows, such as "Knight Rider," "My Own Worst Enemy" and "Kath & Kim" will be available on iTunes a week before their broad- cast premieres later in September and October, with subsequent episodes available the day after broadcast. NBC is also making full episodes of several vintage television shows available on iTunes for $.99, including "The A-Team," "The Alfred Hitchcock Hour," "Miami Vice," "Kojak" and the original "Battlestar Galactica."

The iTunes Store is the world's most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of over 8.5 million songs, over 30,000 TV episodes and over 2,500 films including 600 in stunning high definition video. With Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iTunes Movie Rentals, integrated podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, the ability to turn previously purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seam- less integration with iPod(R) and iPhone(TM), the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac(R) and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.

Pricing & Availability

iTunes 8 for Mac and Windows includes the iTunes Store and is available as a free download from (http://www.itunes.com/). Purchase and download of songs and videos from the iTunes Store requires a valid credit card from a financial institution in the country of purchase. Video availability varies by country.

NBC Universal is one of the world's leading media and entertainment companies in the development, production, and marketing of entertainment, news and information to a global audience. Formed in May 2004 through the combining of NBC and Vivendi Universal Entertainment, NBC Universal owns and operates a valuable portfolio of news and entertainment networks, a premier motion

picture company, significant television production operations, a leading television stations group and world-renowned theme parks. NBC Universal is 80 percent owned by General Electric and 20 percent owned by Vivendi.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (http://www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

(C) 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iTunes, iPod and iPhone are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Apple

CONTACT: Alyssa Donelan of NBC Universal, +1-201-735-3568,
alyssa.donelan@nbcuni.com; or Tom Neumayr of Apple, +1-408-974-1972,
tneumayr@apple.com

Web site: http://www.apple.com/
http://www.itunes.com/

Apple Announces iTunes 8

Features Apple's New Breakthrough Genius Technology

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ Apple(R) today announced iTunes(R) 8, the next major release of Apple's ubiquitous music and video player for Macs and PCs which is seamlessly integrated with the most popular online content store in the world (http://www.itunes.com/). iTunes 8 includes the new breakthrough Genius feature, which lets you automatically create playlists from songs in your music library that go great together -- with just one click. Genius helps music fans rediscover favorite songs in their existing music library and suggests related music on the iTunes Store they might want to add to their music collection. iTunes 8 features new ways of viewing your music and video libraries, and adds television programs in stunning high definition for sale on the iTunes Store.

Using Apple's breakthrough Genius feature is easy-select any song, click the Genius button, and iTunes instantly creates a playlist of songs that go great together from your own library. You can preview the playlist Genius creates, refresh the list to choose different songs and save Genius playlists to enjoy again later. You can even create Genius Playlists on-the-go with the new iPod(R) classic, iPod touch, iPod nano and iPhone(TM). The Genius sidebar appears right in iTunes and recommends music from the iTunes Store that you don't already have, based on the songs you select.

When you turn on iTunes 8's new Genius feature, information about your music library is anonymously sent to the iTunes Store, where it is combined with the anonymously-gathered knowledge from millions of other iTunes users and processed through Apple-developed algorithms. The Genius results, specifically tailored to your personal music library, are sent back to your computer to enable users to automatically create Genius playlists in iTunes and on your iPods, even when they are not connected to the Internet.

iTunes 8's new visual browsing interface displays your music and video libraries using your album and video covers, and also provides a great way to navigate your movies, TV shows, iPhone apps, podcasts and audiobooks.

The iTunes Store has become the world's most popular online TV store and features an incredible selection of over 30,000 episodes from ABC, CBS, The CW, FOX, NBC and over 70 cable networks including Bravo, Comedy Central, Disney Channel, ESPN, FX, HBO, MTV, Nickelodeon, Sci Fi, Showtime and USA. With iTunes 8, television fans can now watch their favorite programs from ABC, NBC and Showtime in stunning HD for just $2.99 per episode, perfect for viewing on their Mac(R) or PC, or on their widescreen TV with Apple TV.

The iTunes Store is the world's most popular online music, TV and movie store with a catalog of 8.5 million songs, over 30,000 TV episodes and over 2,500 films including 600 in stunning high definition video. With Apple's legendary ease of use, pioneering features such as iTunes Movie Rentals, integrated podcasting support, iMix playlist sharing, the ability to turn previously purchased tracks into complete albums at a reduced price, and seamless integration with iPod and iPhone, the iTunes Store is the best way for Mac and PC users to legally discover, purchase and download music and video online.

Pricing & Availability

Apple ignited the personal computer revolution in the 1970s with the Apple II and reinvented the personal computer in the 1980s with the Macintosh. Today, Apple continues to lead the industry in innovation with its award- winning computers, OS X operating system and iLife and professional applications. Apple is also spearheading the digital media revolution with its iPod portable music and video players and iTunes online store, and has entered the mobile phone market with its revolutionary iPhone.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (http://www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

Apple

CONTACT: Jason Roth, +1-408-862-2633, jroth@apple.com, or Tom Neumayr,
+1-408-974-1972, tneumayr@apple.com, both of Apple

Web site: http://www.apple.com/

Apple Introduces New iPod touchThe Funnest iPod Ever - Perfect for Music, Movies & Games

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today introduced the second generation iPod(R) touch featuring an amazingly thin contoured metal design, a gorgeous 3.5-inch widescreen glass display, 802.11 b/g Wi-Fi wireless networking, integrated volume control buttons, a built-in speaker for casual listening, a built-in accelerometer and other advanced sensors, and Apple's revolutionary Multi-Touch(TM) user interface. iPod touch, now available for just $229 for the 8GB model, is perfect for playing music, movies and games, with millions of songs, thousands of Hollywood movies and hundreds of games available on the iTunes(R) Store.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/AQTU545)

"iPod touch is the funnest iPod we've ever created," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "Users can listen to millions of songs, watch thousands of Hollywood movies and now, thanks to the App Store, download and play hundreds of great games on their iPod touch."

The new iPod touch is smaller and lighter than the original, with a sleek new design that features a contoured metal enclosure with integrated volume control buttons and a brilliant 3.5-inch widescreen glass display. With its rounded edges, flush display and curved, more compact design, the new iPod touch is more comfortable to hold and more portable than ever.

iPod touch users can choose from hundreds of exciting game titles such as "Spore Origins" and "Scrabble" from Electronic Arts, and "Real Football 2009" from Gameloft available on iTunes or directly through the App Store application on the iPod touch. The revolutionary App Store works over Wi-Fi, enabling users to browse, purchase and wirelessly download applications directly onto their iPod touch and start using them instantly. The App Store features an incredible array of applications in a wide variety of categories, including games, travel, entertainment, social networking, sports and much more.

iPod touch works seamlessly with iTunes so you can import, manage, and then easily auto-sync your favorite content. With up to 36 hours of music playback or six hours of video playback on a single charge, the new iPod touch is the ultra-portable way to enjoy your favorite music, TV shows, movies and games on the go. The 32GB model holds up to 7,000 songs, 25,000 photos or 40 hours of video; the 16GB model holds up to 3,500 songs, 20,000 photos or 20 hours of video, and the 8GB model holds up to 1,750 songs, 10,000 photos and 10 hours of video.*

The new iPod touch works with the new iTunes 8 Genius feature, allowing customers to automatically create playlists while on the go. Users can preview the playlist Genius creates, refresh the list to choose different songs and save Genius playlists to enjoy again later.

The new iPod touch also features built-in Nike + iPod support making it an incredible workout companion. Users simply place the optional Nike + iPod sensor ($19 US) in their Nike + shoe to seamlessly connect with the new iPod touch to track miles run or sync with the latest generation gym equipment.

The iPod is the world's most popular family of digital music players with over 160 million sold. Apple's incredible new lineup includes the iPod shuffle in four vivid new colors starting at just $49; the iPod classic in one slimline model with 50 percent more capacity for the same great price -- 120GB of storage for just $249; the fourth generation iPod nano featuring a gorgeous curved metal and curved glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors starting at $149; and the second generation iPod touch now starting at just $229. iPod owners can choose from a vast ecosystem of accessories with over 5,000 products made specifically for the iPod including speaker systems, fitness accessories, fashionable cases and iPod connectivity available in over 90 percent of new car models sold in the US.

Pricing & Availability

The new iPod touch is available immediately for a suggested price of $229 (US) for the 8GB model, $299 (US) for the 16GB and $399 (US) for the 32 GB model through the Apple Store(R) (http://www.apple.com/), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. iPod touch requires a Mac(R) with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS(R) X v10.4.10 or later and iTunes 8; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 2) or later and iTunes 8. Existing iPod touch users can update to the latest 2.1 software for just $9.95 to add the new Genius feature. iPod touch owners who already have the 2.0 software get the 2.1 software update for free. Simply download the latest version of iTunes onto your Mac or PC, and purchase the 2.1 software update via iTunes.

*Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See http://www.apple.com/batteries for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes; and video capacity is based on H.264 1.5-Mbps video at 640-by-480 resolution.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (http://www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

(C) 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPod, Multi-Touch, iTunes and Apple Store are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/AQTU545
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Apple

CONTACT: Christine Monaghan, +1-408-974-8850, cmonaghan@apple.com, or
Tom Neumayr, +1-408-974-1972, tneumayr@apple.com, both of Apple

Web site: http://www.apple.com/

Apple Introduces New iPod nanoFourth Generation iPod nano Features Apple's New Genius Technology

SAN FRANCISCO, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Apple(R) today introduced the new fourth generation iPod(R) nano, the thinnest iPod ever featuring a sleek new design with a curved aluminum and glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors. The new iPod nano incorporates Apple's breakthrough Genius technology which automatically creates playlists from songs in your music library that go great together, with just one click. The new iPod nano also features a refined user interface, a high resolution portrait display and a built-in accelerometer which automatically switches to Cover Flow(R) when rotated and automatically goes into Shuffle(TM) mode when lightly shaken. The new iPod nano gives users up to 24 hours of music playback or four hours of video playback and is available worldwide immediately in an 8GB model for just $149 and a 16GB model for just $199. Both models come in silver, purple, blue, green, orange, yellow, pink, (PRODUCT) RED and black.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/AQTU544)

"The iPod nano is the world's most popular music player and we've made it even better for this holiday season," said Steve Jobs, Apple's CEO. "We think users are going to love the amazing new design, the automatic Genius playlist creation, as well as automatically going into Cover Flow with just a turn of the wrist."

The new iPod nano -- the thinnest iPod ever -- features an elegant new de- sign that beautifully blends a brilliant two-inch display with a gorgeous curved aluminum and glass enclosure. The new contoured design fits even more comfortably in your hand.

iPod nano works seamlessly with iTunes(R) so you can import, manage and then easily auto-sync your favorite content. You can buy music, video and games for your iPod nano from the iTunes Store with more than 8.5 million songs available for preview and one-click purchase. With up to 24 hours of music playback or four hours of video playback on a single charge, the new iPod nano is the ultra-portable way to enjoy your favorite music, TV shows, movies and games on the go. The 16GB model holds up to 4,000 songs, 14,000 photos and 16 hours of video, and the 8GB model holds up to 2,000 songs, 7,000 photos and eight hours of video.*

The new iPod nano works with the new iTunes 8 Genius feature, allowing customers to automatically create playlists while on-the-go with their iPod nano. Users can preview the playlist Genius creates, refresh the list to choose different songs and save Genius playlists to enjoy again later.

The iPod is the world's most popular family of digital music players with over 160 million sold. Apple's incredible new lineup includes the iPod shuffle in four vivid new colors starting at just $49; the iPod classic in one slimline model with 50 percent more capacity for the same great price -- 120GB of storage for just $249; the fourth generation iPod nano featuring a gorgeous curved aluminum and curved glass enclosure, in nine vibrant colors starting at $149; and the second generation iPod touch now starting at just $229. iPod owners can choose from a vast ecosystem of accessories with over 5,000 products made specifically for the iPod including speaker systems, fitness accessories, fashionable cases and iPod connectivity available in over 90 percent of new car models sold in the US.

Pricing & Availability

The new iPod nano is available immediately for a suggested price of $149 (US) for the 8GB model and $199 (US) for the 16GB model through the Apple Store(R) (http://www.apple.com/), Apple's retail stores and Apple Authorized Resellers. Both capacities come in silver, blue, purple, green, orange, yellow, pink, (PRODUCT) RED and black. iPod nano requires a Mac(R) with a USB 2.0 port, Mac OS(R) X v10.4.11 or later and iTunes 8; or a Windows PC with a USB 2.0 port and Windows Vista or Windows XP Home or Professional (Service Pack 3) or later and iTunes 8.

* Battery life and number of charge cycles vary by use and settings. See http://www.apple.com/batteries for more information. Music capacity is based on four minutes per song and 128-Kbps AAC encoding; photo capacity is based on iPod-viewable photos transferred from iTunes; and video capacity is based on H.264 1.5-Mbps video at 640-by-480 resolution.

NOTE TO EDITORS: For additional information visit Apple's PR website (http://www.apple.com/pr/), or call Apple's Media Helpline at (408) 974-2042.

(C) 2008 Apple Inc. All rights reserved. Apple, the Apple logo, Mac, Mac OS, Macintosh, iPod, Cover Flow, Shuffle, iTunes and Apple Store are trademarks of Apple. Other company and product names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/AQTU544
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Apple

CONTACT: Christine Monaghan, +1-408-974-8850, cmonaghan@apple.com, or
Tom Neumayr, +1-408-974-1972, tneumayr@apple.com, both of Apple

Web site: http://www.apple.com/

Verizon Launches FiOS TV in Washington State With 98 HD Channels, Free DVR OfferOnly TV Service Delivered Over Nation's Most Advanced, All-Fiber-Optic Network Straight to Consumers' Homes

EVERETT, Wash., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The future of television has arrived for thousands of Puget Sound-area consumers as Verizon, the nation's fastest-growing television service provider, announced Tuesday (Sept. 9) the launch of its industry-leading FiOS TV service in Washington. The service offers 98 HD channels, giving customers more HD channels than Comcast.

More than 80,000 households in Washington can now order and enjoy the ultimate home-entertainment experience of FiOS TV service and have the option of Verizon's FiOS Freedom bundle -- comprising FiOS TV, FiOS Internet and reliable landline telephone service -- for as little as $99.99 a month.

In addition, new customers who subscribe to FiOS TV by Oct. 4 will receive their choice of a year's free use of either a high-definition (HD) digital video recorder (DVR) or an HD Home Media DVR. Verizon is also offering new FiOS TV customers, or existing customers who upgrade to a bundled package, one free month of HBO and Cinemax, which includes the latest hit movies, documentaries and original programming from more than 25 premium channels and access to hundreds of titles on video on demand (VOD). New customers who take advantage of this offer will save between $200 and $260 the first year, depending upon the DVR customers choose.

With the immediate availability of FiOS TV to customers in parts of Bothell, Brier, Everett, Edmonds, Kenmore, Lynnwood, Woodinville, Woodway and Snohomish County, and the rapid expansion into more communities in the coming months, Verizon will compete aggressively against the local cable providers for customers.

'Liberation Day for Cable TV Subscribers'

"This is liberation day for cable TV subscribers in Washington," said David S. Valdez, senior vice president for Verizon's Northwest region. "Verizon's FiOS TV and FiOS Internet services deliver unmatched speeds, incredible picture-and-sound clarity and innovative new services with a brand people know and trust. We already have thousands of consumers using our voice and super-fast Internet services. Based on consumer reaction in states where we already offer FiOS TV, we expect a huge wave of customers to choose FiOS TV as the better choice than their previous TV provider."

At the end of the second quarter, Verizon announced that it had 1.4 million FiOS TV subscribers and nearly 2 million FiOS Internet subscribers nationwide. Verizon launched FiOS TV in 2005.

Over the past several months, the company has secured local franchise agreements with 13 local city and county councils: Bothell, Brier, Edmonds, Everett, Kenmore, Lynnwood, Marysville, Mountlake Terrace, Mukilteo, Redmond, Woodinville, Woodway and Snohomish County. Verizon is negotiating further agreements that will pave the way for the continued expansion of FiOS TV in Washington.

"The launch of FiOS TV is great news for consumers who have waited a long time for true competition and a superior choice of television service for their homes," said Kathy Koelle, West Coast general manager for Verizon. "Only Verizon delivers all-digital TV service over an all-fiber-optic connection to the consumer's doorstep. The unparalleled capacity of our advanced network delivers more HD channels, faster Internet speeds and innovative services that Comcast can't match. Period."

Verizon offers its FiOS Internet service in parts of 16 states, and Washington becomes the 14th state to have FiOS TV.

FiOS TV Service Highlights

FiOS TV represents an excellent value when compared to competitors' offerings, which typically include fewer channels at a higher price.

Service highlights include: -- More than 250 all-digital standard-definition channels grouped by genres such as entertainment, sports, news, shopping, movies and family, making it easy for audiences to find their favorite programming. -- Availability in the Washington market of up to 98 high-definition channels with extraordinary clarity and theater-quality sound. -- A library of more than 11,000 VOD titles each month, 70 percent of which are free. The VOD library also includes an increasing number of HD titles. By year-end, Verizon plans to offer 1,000 HD VOD titles per month. -- An innovative interactive media guide (IMG) that helps customers quickly and easily find and enjoy content from TV listings, video-on- demand catalogs and the digital video recorder (DVR) as well as personal music and photos from a home network. Among the features of the IMG are: -- Multi-Room DVR -- Verizon's Home Media DVR allows customers to stream recorded HD and standard-definition (SD) programs to up to six other TV sets throughout the home. This includes the ability to watch three separately recorded shows on three TV sets at the same time, plus pause recorded programming in one room and continue watching in another. -- Widgets -- Customers have one-touch, on-demand access to local weather and traffic reports shown on TV screens, while they're watching their favorite shows. Widgets provide local traffic and weather reports, daily local and national news headlines, daily national sports headlines, community news, and daily horoscopes. -- Free casual games -- With the remote control and an HD set-top box, customers can access chess, solitaire and wordplay. -- "What's Hot on FiOS TV" -- Features information on the most-popular programs currently being broadcast in the region and the most popular VOD titles. -- "Wait for Me" -- Allows customers to pause live programming, change channels, and then return to the paused program and pick up where they left off. -- Channel sorting options -- Customers can create two separate lists of favorite channels for family members. Customers also can filter channels in the guide by genre, for instances where a customer may only want to see HD content, international channels or kids programming, among others.

FiOS TV also features diverse entertainment in a variety of languages. Spanish-speaking viewers can choose La Conexion, a package of nearly 140 popular English and Spanish-language channels for $37.99 per month, or a Spanish-language package for $11.99 per month. Verizon also offers a variety of international premium channels in languages such as Chinese, French, Italian, Korean, Russian and Vietnamese.

Verizon's fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) network is currently under construction in parts of 16 states. In addition to Washington, Verizon currently offers FiOS TV in parts of California, Delaware, Florida, Indiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Texas and Virginia.

Consumers can visit http://www.verizonfios.com/ or call 1-888 WOW FIOS (1-888-969-3467) to find out if FiOS TV is available at their residence.

Verizon Communications Inc. , headquartered in New York, is a leader in delivering broadband and other wireline and wireless communication innovations to mass market, business, government and wholesale customers. Verizon Wireless operates America's most reliable wireless network, serving nearly 69 million customers nationwide. Verizon's Wireline operations include Verizon Business, which delivers innovative and seamless business solutions to customers around the world, and Verizon Telecom, which brings customers the benefits of converged communications, information and entertainment services over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network. A Dow 30 company, Verizon employs a diverse workforce of more than 228,600 and last year generated consolidated operating revenues of $93.5 billion. For more information, visit http://www.verizon.com/.

VERIZON'S ONLINE NEWS CENTER: Verizon news releases, executive speeches and biographies, media contacts, high-quality video and images, and other information are available at Verizon's News Center on the World Wide Web at http://www.verizon.com/news. To receive news releases by e-mail, visit the News Center and register for customized automatic delivery of Verizon news releases.

Verizon

CONTACT: Jon Davies, +1-805-372-6969, jon.davies@verizon.com

Web site: http://www.verizon.com/
http://www.verizon.com/news
http://www.verizonfios.com/

Company News On-Call: http://www.prnewswire.com/comp/094251.html

Hardware Group Extends Comfort Design, Sleek Finishes and Top Productivity Features Down Desktop LineTwo new mouse-and-keyboard combinations provide more options for consumers to personalize and experience comfort at their workspace.

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today announced two new desktop sets -- the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 and Wireless Media Desktop 1000 -- with stylish designs and high-end productivity features at affordable prices, giving consumers more quality options for their workspaces. A Comfort Curve design complements the sleek lines of the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, making for hardware that looks and feels good at the same time. Slick design features also grab attention on the Wireless Media Desktop 1000, a keyboard-and-mouse combination created for digital media enthusiasts.

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"With the Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 and Wireless Media Desktop 1000, we give consumers high-end features and design without a high-end price," said Mike Rodgers, product marketing manager at Microsoft. "Our customers are choosing to use full-size mice and keyboards with both desktop and notebook computers, and we continue to provide a full line of products with the features they desire -- comfort, style and productivity -- at every price point."

Wireless Laser Desktop 6000: Elegance and Productivity

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000 offers first-class beauty at an affordable price. This set includes the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000, a full-size mouse with a right-handed ergonomic design that features a snap-in transceiver so notebook users can easily take the mouse with them when they are on the road. The sophisticated Windows Aero-inspired keyboard has a smoked translucent border and sleek, compact shape that is admirable from every angle. Featuring Microsoft's best-selling Comfort Curve layout, this keyboard delivers supreme comfort by encouraging a more natural hand position with a slight six-degree curve. The Comfort Curve design surpasses other industry styles -- with more than 7 million units sold worldwide(1) -- to bring true comfort to typing. The keyboard's quiet touch keys also add to its appeal. In addition, this keyboard features top technology and productivity tools:

-- 2.4GHz wireless technology gives consumers a confident wireless connection and a range of up to 30 feet, even in crowded wireless environments.

-- One-touch access to Windows Flip 3D allows users to flip through open windows in a stack and quickly switch among applications for added productivity.(2)

-- My Favorites Keys deliver one-touch access to users' most-used Web sites, files and folders. Users simply push and hold a key to assign it to the current destination, just as they would with a car stereo's preset buttons.

-- Media Center controls allow users to access popular media activities such as play, pause and volume with one touch.

-- Battery life indicator shows two colors: green when the batteries have sufficient power and red when the batteries are running low.

The Wireless Keyboard 6000 also launches today as a stand-alone item, while the Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 hit retail shelves in March 2008.

Wireless Media Desktop 1000

The Wireless Media Desktop 1000 is the perfect companion for the media enthusiast, providing quick, one-touch access to photos, Windows Media Player and My Favorites Keys. The ultra-thin keyboard gives users full use of Windows Vista with quick access to Windows Flip 3D2 and the Windows Start Button. The desktop set also includes an optical mouse with a comfortable ambidextrous design -- all at an affordable price.

Pricing and Availability

The Wireless Laser Desktop 6000, Wireless Laser Keyboard 6000 and Wireless Media Desktop 1000 will be available for estimated retail prices of $99.95 (U.S.), $59.95 (U.S.) and $49.95 (U.S.), respectively.(3) These products are available now for presale on Amazon.com and will ship later this month when they are widely released. The Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 is currently available for the estimated retail price of $49.95.(3) All products will be backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft. More information about these and other Microsoft Hardware products is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

About Microsoft Hardware

For more than 25 years, the Hardware Group has employed innovative engineering, cutting-edge industrial design and extensive usability testing to create products of exceptional quality and durability that enhance the software experience and strengthen the connection between consumers and their PC. Microsoft Hardware leads the industry in ergonomic engineering, industrial design and hardware/software compatibility, offering consumers an easier, more convenient and more enjoyable computing experience. Microsoft IntelliMouse Explorer, which launched in 1999, earned a place on PCWorld.com's December 2005 list of "The 50 Greatest Gadgets of the Past 50 Years" as the first mainstream optical mouse that "brought gunk-free pointing devices" to a broad consumer base. More information about the Hardware Group is available at http://www.mshardwareguide.com/.

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) Based on Microsoft sales data. (2) For Windows, Flip 3D requires a PC running Windows Aero. If you are using Mac OS X 10.3 or higher, the Flip 3D button or Instant Viewer tool will start Expose when used with Mac. (3) Actual retail prices may vary.

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CONTACT: Brittany Turner, brittany.turner@edelman.com, or Kerry Rickert,
kerry.rickert@edelman.com, both of Edelman for Microsoft Corp.,
+1-206-223-1606

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

Microsoft Offers More Ways to Connect With the Launch of Video MessagesMicrosoft LifeCam users get bonus with access through new Windows Vista gadget.

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Microsoft Corp. unveils Video Messages, a groundbreaking service that combines the flexibility of e-mail and voice mail with the personal expression of a video call; it is the video version of voice mail. Video Messages allows consumers to record and send personalized videos that their friends and family can access anytime, anywhere they are online* -- the perfect solution when they are not available for a live video chat.

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Microsoft is offering this new service through a LifeCam video messages gadget and a Web site so everyone can get in on the fun. Video Messages is the perfect way to send a personalized "happy birthday" message to a friend or have the kids leave a quick "hello" message to grandma across the country when she is not home.

"Video Messages offers a groundbreaking way to communicate," said Bennie Soto, product marketing manager at Microsoft. "It provides a free, easy and fun way to stay connected and share the special moments in your life without thinking twice about time zones or busy schedules; you'll never have to plan a specific time for video calling again."

Go, Go LifeCam Gadget

The best way to experience Video Messages is with a LifeCam video messages gadget, available for people running Windows Vista and using a supported Microsoft LifeCam. By downloading the new gadget, LifeCam users can create, send and receive video messages from their desktop. They can even select six of their top friends who will always be visible in the video messages gadget -- just like storing top friends' numbers on speed dial for easy access. This added convenience is a great benefit for LifeCam customers because the Video Messages controls are always available; they can just click on a friend's image, record a video and hit send. A demo of the LifeCam video messages gadget in action is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/digitalcommunication/videomessage.mspx.

Video Messages Web Site

Consumers also can easily use Video Messages through a Web site, which will work for any Windows Live customers. From the Web site, consumers can record a personal video message and enter the e-mail address of a friend or family member, who will receive a notification of the video via e-mail. Recipients who are also Windows Live customers can even respond with a video of their own.

"We are thrilled to have Video Messages expand the LifeCam products' unique connection to Windows Live," said Dharmesh Mehta, group product manager for Windows Live. "With more than 460 million Windows Live customers around the globe and the increased popularity in video communications, we are excited to be a part of this great solution for keeping people in touch."

Availability

The Video Messages service is available now at http://videomessages.live.com/. The LifeCam video messages gadget is available now for free download at http://videomessages.live.com/ and is supported by the following LifeCam products:

-- LifeCam Show -- LifeCam VX-7000 -- LifeCam VX-6000 -- LifeCam VX-5500 -- LifeCam VX-5000 About Windows Live

Windows Live, a new set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. With localized versions of most services available globally in 59 markets and 35 languages, Windows Live encompasses more than 20 services, including Windows Live Hotmail, Windows Live Messenger, Windows Live Photo Gallery and Windows Live OneCare Family Safety. Windows Live is available at http://www.windowslive.com/.

About Microsoft Hardware

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

* Requires a broadband connection

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CONTACT: Kerry Rickert, kerry.rickert@edelman.com, or Brittany Turner,
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+1-206-223-1606

Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

Microsoft's Latest LifeCams Bring Life to Video Calls With Versatile New DesignsLifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 debut fun new video effects and Video Messages.

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Today, Microsoft Corp. unveils two new webcams -- LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 -- featuring stunning new designs that not only look great but also provide versatility for use on a laptop or desktop monitor, or sitting next to your PC. No matter where these LifeCams are used, they will make a statement. LifeCam Show is ultra sleek -- one of the thinnest webcams on the market -- while the LifeCam VX-5500 takes a more sassy approach with switchable faceplates in three colors and an innovative, collapsible design. These LifeCams deliver high-end audio and video performance, groundbreaking new video effects, and Video Messages -- a new service for sending and receiving video messages from friends and family.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20000822/MSFTLOGO) LifeCam Show: Good Things Come in Small Packages

LifeCam Show features a sleek, mirrored finish and ultrathin design. It looks great with any PC, attaching with ease to a desktop or laptop computer, or even sitting on top of your desk. The LifeCam Show ships with a complete attachment system to make setting up and using the webcam a snap in a variety of different scenarios. Versatile attachment options include the following:

-- Laptop clip. LifeCam Show magnetically attaches to a clip snapped right onto a laptop.

-- Desktop stand. LifeCam Show magnetically attaches to an 11-inch-tall desktop stand, which users can position anywhere around the desk for the perfect viewing angle.

-- Two attachment discs. Attachment discs allow users to attach the adhesive disc to the back of their laptop, giving them the ability to close their laptop easily with the webcam still attached for greater portability.

Offering top audio and video performance, LifeCam Show is not just about good looks and versatility:

-- A 2.0MP sensor and 8.0MP stills offer true-to-life communication for sharing important life moments.

-- Top-of-the-line audio technology, including a built-in, noise- cancelling microphone with echo-cancellation software, provides improved sound clarity.

"Our design team has been working hard to ensure that we could fit best- in-class webcam technology into such a tiny footprint. Even at only one-half inch deep, LifeCam Show packs a mean punch with industry-leading audio and video technology," said Ralf Groene, Industrial Design manager at Microsoft. "We also designed these LifeCams to attach with ease to any type of PC because we know that consumers move between notebooks and desktops and back again, and they want a webcam that can move with them."

LifeCam VX-5500: Switch Out the Color to Suit Your Mood

The LifeCam VX-5500 is all about fun with an innovative new design. The VX-5500 ships with three interchangeable faceplates in blue, red and white, so users can either choose their favorite color and leave it that color or switch the color every day to match their mood. Similar to LifeCam Show, the VX-5500 can be used on a laptop or desktop computer with an innovative universal attachment clip. When users are ready to pack up, the entire webcam folds down flat for easy transport. With a VGA sensor for 640x480 video, 1.3MP stills, and a unidirectional, noise-cancelling microphone, the LifeCam VX-5500 keeps all video communications crystal clear.

Add Fun to Video Calls With the Latest LifeCam Software

Both webcams come with the latest version of LifeCam software, making it easier than ever for users to have a fun video call experience. One major addition to the new software is a group of more than 30 new video effects, including 3D Accessories, Facial Exaggerations and Filters. 3D Accessories offer realistic effects that truly move with users' faces -- users can put a cowboy hat on their head or sunglasses over their eyes, and the effect will stay with them even when they turn their heads. In addition, Microsoft's new Facial Exaggerations and Filters allow users to stretch their faces, make bug eyes or create a pointy new nose for an entertaining fun-house mirror effect using a LifeCam.

The new release also includes access to Video Messages, a totally new way to keep in touch. When friends and family are not around for a live video chat or perhaps are in a distant time zone, Video Messages is the perfect solution. LifeCam users can record and send videos through an exclusive Windows Vista gadget, and any Windows Live user can get in on the fun via an online portal. Users can see Video Messages in action at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/video_messages_intro.(1)

Additional features that make these webcams a great option for Windows Live Messenger users include the following:

-- Photo Swap. This feature allows two callers to share digital photos in midvideo conversation. Just click the Photo Swap icon, and a new window opens up next to the video call window so users can flip through the photos on their desktop and decide which pictures they want to show.(1)

-- Windows Live Call Button. Located on top of the LifeCam, the Windows Live Call Button allows users to open their Contact Picker (a tool showing which contacts are currently online) with one touch, so they can quickly initiate video calls to friends and family.(1)

Pricing and Availability

The LifeCam Show and LifeCam VX-5500 will be widely available in October 2008 for the respective estimated retail prices of $99.95 and $59.95.(2) The webcams are available now for presale on Amazon.com and will ship in October when they are widely released. Microsoft will back the LifeCams with a worldwide, three-year limited hardware warranty. More information about the LifeCams is available at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

About MSN and Windows Live

MSN attracts more than 465 million unique users worldwide per month. With localized versions available globally in 42 markets and 21 languages, MSN is a world leader in delivering compelling programmed content experiences to consumers and online advertising opportunities to businesses worldwide. Windows Live, a set of personal Internet services and software, is designed to bring together in one place all the relationships, information and interests people care about most, with enhanced safety and security features across their PC, devices and the Web. MSN and Windows Live are offered alongside each other as complementary services. Some Windows Live services entered an early beta phase on Nov. 1, 2005; these and future beta updates can be found at http://ideas.live.com/. Windows Live is available at http://www.live.com/. MSN is located on the Web at http://www.msn.com/. MSN worldwide sites are located at http://www.msn.com/worldwide.ashx.

About Microsoft Hardware

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) These features are available only through Windows Live Messenger.

(2) Actual retail prices may vary.

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CONTACT: Kerry Rickert, kerry.rickert@edelman.com, or Brittany Turner,
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Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

Microsoft Arc Mouse: Where Fashion and Technology CollideNew Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 offers fun design and colorful hues.

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today raised the style stakes with the unveiling of a revolutionary crescent-moon- shaped mouse designed to be just as fashionable as it is functional -- the Arc Mouse. With its unique foldable design, Arc reduces by almost half for portability when it is snapped shut, but provides complete comfort when opened to its full size.

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Microsoft today also introduced the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000, a notebook mouse with stunning color offerings at an affordable price, based on the design of the No. 1 best-selling notebook mouse in the U.S.(1)

Fashion Meets PC - What to Wear

The Arc Mouse allows consumers to flaunt their personal style with its sleek, thin crescent shape and two color options -- black and red. It is truly an accessory, adding to the fashion PC trend that is taking the technology industry by storm. In a June 2007 report, "The Age of Style in Consumer PCs," Forrester Research Inc. predicted that between now and 2012 will be the "age of style" with consumer choice and personalization becoming an important factor in a purchase decision. With a high demand for style, consumers value look and feel more than any other product features.(2)

"Style isn't just about the clothes you put on your back," said Clinton Kelly, fashion expert and host of TLC's hit show "What Not to Wear." "You have the option to express your personal sense of style in practically every aspect of your life, from home decor to your tech accessories. The Arc Mouse definitely tells the world you're ahead of the curve, so to speak, and that you want to be surrounded by beautiful things all the time."

High Performance and Style in a Snap

The Arc Mouse's elegant, foldable shape allows it to easily slip into any bag while on the go, and expand to a comfortable full size while in use. Its micro transceiver quickly snaps into the bottom of the mouse using a magnet, and is so small it sticks out less than 1 centimeter while plugged in -- there is no need to remove it from a laptop while traveling.

The Arc Mouse features high-end details in every aspect of its design -- its strong metal hinge can be opened and closed with confidence, and testing shows that its sturdy shape can hold more than 25 pounds. With the following performance features, Arc Mouse is top in its class:

-- Battery life indicator shows two colors: green when the batteries have sufficient power and red when the batteries are running low. -- 2.4GHz wireless technology gives consumers a confident wireless connection and a range of up to 30 feet, even in crowded wireless environments. -- Carrying case is included and uses a magnetic flap to easily snap shut and protect the mouse while on the go. -- High-performance laser tracking offers smooth tracking and excellent responsiveness and precision.

"Arc is clean and modern, and what is even more exciting is the way it addresses real needs. It's very comfortable while open, and when you snap it shut you are reassured that it's off. If you need to make a quick exit, the collapsed form is a natural," said Monique Chatterjee, user experience designer at Microsoft. "Everyone loves to play with Arc. They snap it open and closed, and even spin it on its back. As a designer, it's really inspiring to make that kind of emotional connection with people."

The No. 1 Best-Selling Notebook Mouse Gets a Face-Lift

The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 delivers comfort on the go with an ambidextrous shape designed by Microsoft's in-house ergonomist for comfort in either hand, and a snap-in receiver so consumers can take the mouse anywhere. This modern mouse is based on the design of the No. 1 best-selling notebook mouse in the U.S.(1) and includes stylish color offerings so consumers can pick their favorite between black and white, or choose from sophisticated special edition colors:

-- Blue sapphire -- Red garnet -- Pink topaz -- Purple amethyst -- Green emerald

These glimmering mice also come equipped with High Definition Optical Technology and a snap-in receiver that helps conserve battery life as it turns off the power when snapped into the bottom of the mouse. Delivering an average of more than six months of battery life(3) with one AA battery, this mouse reduces inconvenient work stoppages required to replace batteries or recharge. In addition, the mouse features a two-color battery life indicator: green when the batteries have sufficient power and red when the batteries are running low -- all this and no software needed. With all these features wrapped into a sleek design with fun color choices, who knew productivity could look so good?

Pricing and Availability

The Arc Mouse in black and red and the Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 in black and white will be widely available in September 2008 for an estimated retail price of $59.95 (U.S) and $29.95 (U.S), respectively.(4) The Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 in the following special edition colors will be available in September 2008 at Target stores: blue sapphire, red garnet, pink topaz and purple amethyst. All colors will be available later this fall. The Arc Mouse and the black and white Wireless Mobile Mouse 3000 are available now for pre-sale on Amazon.com and will ship later this month when they are widely released. The products will be backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft Corp. More information about these and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

About Microsoft Hardware

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) Source: The NPD Group Inc., based on U.S. retail and commercial dollar sales from March 2005 to November 2007. (2) Microsoft internal research. (3) Many users average more than six months of battery life. (4) Actual retail prices may vary.

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CONTACT: Brittany Turner, brittany.turner@edelman.com, or Kerry Rickert,
kerry.rickert@edelman.com, both of Edelman for Microsoft Corp.,
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Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

Microsoft Unveils World's Most Advanced Tracking TechnologyMicrosoft's proprietary BlueTrack Technology sets new industry standard, surpasses optical and laser to track on virtually any surface.

REDMOND, Wash., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Microsoft Corp. today unveiled the world's most advanced tracking technology, Microsoft BlueTrack Technology, which allows consumers to take their mice anywhere and work with confidence on more surfaces than before. Microsoft's new proprietary tracking technology combines the width and power of optical technology with the precision of laser tracking to allow consumers to mouse on virtually any surface(1) -- from a granite kitchen countertop to the living room carpet.

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BlueTrack Technology will debut in two new top-of-the-line mice, Microsoft Explorer Mouse and Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse, available this fall at BestBuy.com and in Best Buy stores.

Microsoft Hardware: History of Leadership

Microsoft Hardware has consistently raised the bar in mouse tracking technology throughout its 26-year history, including the launch of the world's first optical mouse in 1999. The LED light and sensor allowed consumers to mouse on more surfaces with ease, eliminating the old "ball" mouse for good. In 2005, Microsoft introduced High Definition Laser Technology, which allowed mice to work on many surfaces that optical technology did not. But now Microsoft's in-house engineers have taken mouse tracking to the next level, creating an exclusive, groundbreaking technology to advance the way consumers use their computer mice.

"Research shows that people aren't sitting at a desk all day, but they've gone mobile. In fact, 72 percent of PCs sold are notebook PCs,(2) and consumers need a mouse that can go with them anywhere," said Mark DePue, platforms engineering manager at Microsoft and co-inventor of BlueTrack Technology. "BlueTrack Technology excels in areas where optical and laser technologies were falling short. Laser mice, for example, have a difficult time working on some common home surfaces, including granite and marble."

According to David Bohn, senior engineering architect at Microsoft and BlueTrack Technology co-inventor, "Laser technology is also sensitive to dust and dirt accumulation during travel, which can lead to poor tracking performance. With BlueTrack Technology you can rest easier about where your mouse will or won't track -- it works just about everywhere, just like you."

Under the Hood

Microsoft's BlueTrack Technology works on more surfaces than both optical and laser mice. The large, blue beam and specular optics architecture, in conjunction with a Microsoft-designed image sensor and proprietary pixel geometry, generates a high-contrast picture of the mousing surface that allows exceptional tracking accuracy. The BlueTrack Technology light beam emanating from the bottom of the mouse is more than four times as large as the average laser beam used in today's mice, enabling reliable mouse tracking even on difficult surfaces such as carpet.

This advanced technology creates a superior, more precise picture of the surface, allowing consumers to use their mouse virtually anywhere. To see a video on the making of BlueTrack Technology and meet the inventors, consumers can visit http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/bluetrack.

Explorer Mouse and Explorer Mini Mouse

BlueTrack Technology will debut in two new high-end Microsoft mouse products this fall -- the full-size Explorer Mouse and the smaller Explorer Mini Mouse. These mice pair revolutionary tracking technology with a sophisticated design that brings the mice to life. A chrome trim and blue lighting around the bottom rim of the mouse create a soft glow and set the device apart from anything else on the market. A right-handed, ergonomist- approved design offers hours of comfortable use, and 2.4GHz wireless technology delivers a reliable connection up to 30 feet away. The snap-in minitransceiver offers easy storage and mobility, allowing consumers to take their full-size mouse with them wherever they need it.

The full-size Explorer Mouse features easy recharging with a battery status indicator and a small charging base, while the Explorer Mini Mouse uses two AA batteries.

Availability

The Explorer Mouse with BlueTrack Technology and the Explorer Mini Mouse with BlueTrack Technology will be available at BestBuy.com and Best Buy stores in November for the estimated retail price of $99.95 and $79.95 (U.S.), respectively.(3)

"At Best Buy we offer our customers the latest and greatest in consumer technology," said Steve Guild, senior merchant, computing peripherals at Best Buy. "We are excited to enter into our relationship with Microsoft BlueTrack Technology, as the products truly map to where our customers are using their computers -- everywhere."

Both mice will be backed by a worldwide three-year limited hardware warranty from Microsoft. More information about these and other Microsoft Hardware products can be found at http://www.microsoft.com/hardware.

About Microsoft Hardware

About Microsoft

Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services and solutions that help people and businesses realize their full potential.

(1) BlueTrack Technology does not work on clear glass or mirrored surfaces. (2) The NPD Group Inc., based on U.S. retail unit sales from June 2007 to June 2008. (3) Actual retail prices may vary.

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Web site: http://www.microsoft.com/

Online Health Information Category Grows at Rate Four Times Faster Than Total InternetCategory Up 21 Percent in Past YearWebMD Health Ranks as Top Publisher of Display Ads

RESTON, Va., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- comScore, Inc. , a leader in measuring the digital world, today released results of a study showing that the health information site category has grown 21 percent during the past year -- more than four times the growth rate of the total U.S. Internet population.

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While WebMD Health continues to lead the category with 17.3 million visitors in July (up 3 percent versus year ago), three other health networks boosted the overall growth of the category, each attracting more than ten million visitors: Everyday Health with 14.7 million (up 63 percent), Revolution Health Network with 11.3 million visitors (up 182 percent), and AOL Health with 11.1 million (up 88 percent). While Everyday Health and Revolution Health Network both achieved significant organic growth on their core Web sites, their recent partnerships with several smaller health sites, as well as some strategic acquisitions, have also contributed to their respective gains.

Top 10 Health Information Sites by Unique Visitors July 2008 vs. July 2007 Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations Source: comScore Media Metrix Total Unique Visitors (000) Jul-2007 Jul-2008 % Change Total Internet: Total Audience 180,078 189,134 5 Health - Information 56,865 69,008 21 WebMD Health 16,829 17,277 3 Everyday Health 9,009 14,703 63 Revolution Health Network 4,014 11,329 182 AOL Health* 5,913 11,095 88 About.com Health 6,947 8,682 25 Yahoo! Health 7,445 8,496 14 MSN Health 8,833 7,813 -12 NIH.GOV 8,545 7,315 -14 RIGHTHEALTH.COM 2,424 6,160 154 Quality Health Network N/A 5,822 N/A * Due to the transition of AOL Body to AOL Health in June 2008, the July 2007 AOL figures reported in the above chart are for AOL Body while the July 2008 figures are for AOL Health.

"Improved site functionality, increased content personalization, and overall consumer acceptance of the Internet as a source for health information have helped to breathe new life into the health information category," said John Mangano, senior director, comScore Pharmaceutical Marketing Solutions. "Most sites have become vibrant online communities rooted in sharing experiences and advice, rather than simply being one-way information resources for the consumer. As Google and Microsoft ramp up efforts with their respective health sites, Google Health and Microsoft HealthVault, it will be interesting to see how the category continues to evolve."

WebMD Health Ranks as Top Display Ad Publisher

In June, more than 1.5 billion display ad views were seen by nearly 54 million people via sites in the health information category. WebMD Health topped the list of display ad publishers, delivering 290 million display ad views and reaching nearly 15 million people at an average frequency of 19.3 times per visitor during the month. Revolution Health Network and AOL Health ranked second and third, with 201 million display ad views and 186 million display ad views, respectively. While the number of unique visitors exposed to advertising at both Revolution Health Network and AOL Health were significantly lower than for WebMD Health, they were reached with a higher frequency.

Also noteworthy is that despite Weight Watchers International delivering ads to just 2 million unique visitors, each ad-exposed visitor saw an average of 31 display ads during the month, the highest frequency among the top ten publisher sites in the category.

Top 10 Health Information Publishers By Total Ad Views* June 2008 Total U.S. - Home/Work/University Locations Source: comScore Ad Metrix Total Advertising Display Share of Exposed Unique Ad Views Display Ad Visitors Average Publisher (MM) Views (000) Frequency Health - Information 1,556 100.0% 53,556 29.0 WebMD Health 290 18.6% 14,992 19.3 Revolution Health Network 201 12.9% 8,320 24.1 AOL Health 186 12.0% 8,780 21.2 Everyday Health 154 9.9% 10,355 14.8 MSN Health 109 7.0% 7,751 14.1 About.com Health 98 6.3% 7,242 13.5 LIFESCRIPT.COM 92 5.9% 3,406 27.0 Weight Watchers International 61 3.9% 1,962 31.0 Yahoo! Health 59 3.8% 7,902 7.5 AARP Sites 34 2.2% 1,696 20.3 * Excludes house ads and very small ads.

For more information on comScore Pharmaceutical solutions, please visit: http://www.comscore.com/solutions/info_req.asp?industry=pharma.

About comScore

comScore, Inc. is a global leader in measuring the digital world and preferred source of digital marketing intelligence. For more information, please visit http://www.comscore.com/boilerplate.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080115/COMSCORELOGO
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com comScore, Inc.

CONTACT: Andrea Vollman of comScore, Inc., +1-312-775-6646,
press@comscore.com

Web site: http://www.comscore.com/

The Grow Network/McGraw-Hill Launches New Program to Provide Individualized Reading and Math InterventionNew MyGuide Personal Learning Program Offers Dynamic Print and Online Resources to Accelerate Students' Academic Achievement

NEW YORK, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire/ -- The Grow Network/McGraw-Hill launched the newest version of its MyGuide(TM) Personal Learning Program in Florida today, providing personalized instructional guidance for students in reading and math to support learning intervention efforts. The MyGuide Personal Learning Program combines psychometric expertise with patent-pending technology to analyze students' assessment results and deliver print and online content specifically targeted to each student's individual learning needs.

Built on the success of The Grow Network's existing study guide program that has been in use in five states and multiple school districts, this research-based program for Grades 6-12 has been proven to significantly increase student achievement according to an independent evaluation of the program.

The new MyGuide Personal Learning Program being launched this month in Florida will be used in Grades 7-10 and by students taking the Florida High School Exit Exam. It will continue to roll out across the country this fall.

"Teachers need time-saving classroom tools that can help them differentiate instruction and provide targeted support to individual students," said Dr. Diana Greene, deputy superintendent, Marion County (Fla.) Public Schools. "We are looking forward to using the MyGuide program to give teachers additional instructional support and give students a resource to help them master the skills they need to graduate."

The MyGuide Personal Learning Program places the teacher at the center of instruction and allows for more direct teaching time with each student. The program supports teachers with an instructional guide that equips them to deliver effective, differentiated instruction to a classroom of diverse learners .- plus Web resources that provide immediate classroom support and the assistance of a dedicated professional development team to ensure successful implementation.

"This program helps educators bridge the gap between assessment and instruction by providing print and online resources that bolster teachers' ability to offer hands-on learning intervention for their students," said Mark Malaspina, president of The Grow Network. "By focusing on students as individuals - showing them their own specific learning needs and strengths -- we are also empowering them to take charge of their learning and build confidence in their achievements."

The MyGuide Personal Learning Program is a powerful, intensive intervention solution because it puts student assessment data to work for the benefit of students and teachers. It uses proprietary technology to create a comprehensive learning map that synthesizes state academic standards, cognitive research on how students perform, and knowledge about the learning steps necessary to master the standards. Each student's most recent assessment data is analyzed to create individualized, standards-integrated content targeted to provide the precise instructional support each student needs to increase his or her achievement in reading and math.

About The Grow Network/McGraw-Hill

Established in March 2000, The Grow Network/McGraw-Hill has become a nationally recognized leader in individualized instruction and educational assessment reporting. The Grow Network's innovative, patent-pending system offers dynamic reports and differentiated learning tools, online and in print, for families, teachers, and educational leaders. The Grow Network is part of the Assessment and Reporting group of McGraw-Hill Education, a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies . McGraw-Hill Education is a leading global provider of print and digital instructional, assessment, and reference solutions that empower professionals and students of all ages. Additional information is available at http://info.grow.net/ .

Media Inquiries: Kelley Carpenter Director, Communications McGraw-Hill Assessment and Reporting 831.393.7196 kelley_carpenter@mcgraw-hill.com

The Grow Network/McGraw-Hill

CONTACT: Media Inquiries:
Kelley Carpenter
Director, Communications
McGraw-Hill Assessment and Reporting
831.393.7196
kelley_carpenter@mcgraw-hill.com

Web site: http://www.mheducation.com/
http://info.grow.net/

Virgin Mobile USA Begins to Integrate Handsets & Voice Plans With Helio Devices & ServiceHelio Members Gain New $80 Unlimited Offer

WARREN, N.J., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- On August 22, 2008, Virgin Mobile USA completed its acquisition of Helio, the mobile telecommunications company best known for its advanced mobile services and exclusive high-end connection devices. Today, Virgin Mobile USA unveiled its new branding message to highlight the acquisition: "Helio By Virgin Mobile: Plan To Have It All."

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20080909/NYTU050LOGO http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070613/VIRGINMOBILE )

Immediate plans include the launch of the Shuttle, Virgin Mobile USA's first handset enabled to integrate such Helio services as Buddy Beacon(TM); and the enhancement of Helio's $80 A La Carte plan, effective today, to include Unlimited Minutes rather than the current 1500 minute allocation. The new terms of the Helio A La Carte plan, which mirror Virgin Mobile USA's Totally Unlimited prepaid voice plan at $79.99, will be available for current and future Helio members. More information is available at http://www.helio.com/.

"We are bringing our customer-first approach to postpaid with the goal of empowering our Customers and Members with value, choice, and flexibility," said Bob Stohrer, Chief Marketing Officer, Virgin Mobile USA. "These initial steps, delivering the best value in postpaid for Unlimited calling, are just signals of things to come as we look to make Helio products and services even more accessible and attractive.

"Helio devices like the Ocean and its brilliant data services are alive and well, and there will be opportunities in the immediate future for crossover benefits," he added. "We look forward to revealing how future integration will allow wireless customers to 'plan to have it all,' and intend to build the best customer experience overall in wireless, taking advantage of the best of both companies."

The transition for Helio's approximate 170,000 postpaid members and Virgin Mobile's 5 million prepaid customers has been seamless. For now, the two customer care services and sales operations are separate, with further integration planned over the next several months.

About Virgin Mobile USA

Virgin Mobile USA, Inc. , through its operating company Virgin Mobile USA, L.P., offers more than five million customers control, flexibility and choice through Virgin Mobile's Plans Without Annual Contracts and postpaid offerings through Helio By Virgin Mobile, with national coverage for both powered by the Sprint PCS network.

Virgin Mobile USA is known for its award-winning customer service, and was recently rated the best prepaid wireless service for the third year in a row in the Annual PC Magazine Readers' Choice Survey, with 90% of its own customers reporting satisfaction with its service. Virgin Mobile USA allows customers to earn free minutes in exchange for viewing advertising content online through the innovative Sugar Mama program. Virgin Mobile USA's full slate of smart, stylish and affordable handsets are available at approximately 40,000 top retailers nationwide and online at http://www.virginmobileusa.com/, with Top-Up cards available at more than 140,000 locations. Helio's advanced devices like the Ocean and unlimited All-in voice plans can be explored at http://www.helio.com/.

About Helio

Helio, LLC, now part of Virgin Mobile USA, has built a reputation as the mobile brand for the Internet generation with advanced mobile services, exclusive high-end, connection devices like the Ocean, and integrated pricing on a nationwide high-speed 3G network. Helio was launched in 2006 as a joint venture between EarthLink and SK Telecom, one of the world's most advanced wireless carriers and now an investor in Virgin Mobile USA. For more information, visit http://www.helio.com/.

About SK Telecom

SK Telecom is the top wireless communication provider in Korea, where it has more than 22 million subscribers taking up more than 50% of the total market. The company established in 1984, reached KRW 11.28 trillion in revenue in 2007. SK telecom was the first to launch and commercialize CDMA, CDMA 2001x, CDMA EV-DO and HSDPA networks, and it currently provides cellular, wireless internet, mobile media, global roaming service and more. For more information, please visit http://www.sktelecom.com/ or email to press@sktelecom.com.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains certain forward-looking statements and information relating to us that are based on the beliefs of our management as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, us. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements about our strategies, plans, objectives, expectations, intentions, expenditures, and assumptions and other statements contained in this document that are not historical facts. When used in this press release, words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "project" and similar expressions, as they relate to us are intended to identify forward-looking statements. These statements reflect our current views with respect to future events, are not guarantees of future performance, and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Further, certain forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions as to future events that may not prove to be accurate.

Many factors could cause our actual results, performance or achievements to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements that may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted include, among others, those risks and uncertainties discussed in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, copies of which are available on our investor relations website at http://investorrelations.virginmobileusa.com/ and on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov/. In addition, factors that could cause actual results to differ from those projected include, but are not limited to, the following: (1) the occurrence of any event, change or other circumstances that could give rise to the termination of the transaction agreement, (2) the inability to complete the transactions due to the failure to satisfy conditions to the completion of the transactions, including the expiration of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act of 1976, if applicable, and the failure to receive other required regulatory approvals, including approvals from the Federal Communications Commission, (3) risks that the proposed transactions disrupt current plans and operations and the potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the transactions, (4) the ability to recognize the results of the transactions, (5) the amount of the costs, fees, expenses and charges related to the transactions, and (6) risks that Helio or any other companies we may acquire could have undiscovered liabilities, may strain our management capabilities or may be difficult to integrate.

We neither intend nor assume any obligation to update these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

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http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070613/VIRGINMOBILE
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com Virgin Mobile USA, Inc.

CONTACT: Media, Jayne Wallace, +1-908-607-4014,
jayne.wallace@virginmobileusa.com, or Investors, Erica Bolton,
+1-908-607-4108, erica.bolton@virginmobileusa.com, both of Virgin Mobile USA

Web site: http://www.virginmobileusa.com/
http://investorrelations.virginmobileusa.com/
http://www.helio.com/
http://www.sktelecom.com/

Global Crossing to Participate in Goldman Sachs Communacopia XVII

FLORHAM PARK, N.J., Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Global Crossing , a leading global IP solutions provider, today announced that it will participate in Goldman Sachs' Communacopia XVII Conference on Wednesday, September 17, 2008. Global Crossing's presentation will be followed by an analyst "fireside chat" at 4:10 p.m. EDT.

A webcast of the presentation will be posted at investors.globalcrossing.com/events.cfm.

Communacopia will be held on Wednesday, September 17 and Thursday, September 18, 2008 at the Grand Hyatt Hotel at 109 East 42nd Street in New York.

ABOUT GLOBAL CROSSING

Global Crossing provides telecommunications solutions over the world's first integrated global IP-based network. Its core network connects approximately 400 cities in more than 45 countries worldwide, and delivers services to approximately 690 cities in more than 60 countries and six continents around the globe. The company's global sales and support model matches the network footprint and, like the network, delivers a consistent customer experience worldwide.

Global Crossing IP services are global in scale, linking the world's enterprises, governments and carriers with customers, employees and partners worldwide in a secure environment that is ideally suited for IP-based business applications, allowing e-commerce to thrive. The company offers a full range of data, voice and security products to approximately 40 percent of the Fortune 500, as well as 700 carriers, mobile operators and ISPs. Its Professional Services and Managed Solutions provide VoIP, security and network consulting and management services to support its Global Crossing IP VPN service and Global Crossing VoIP services. Global Crossing was the first global communications provider with IPv6 natively deployed in both its private and public backbone networks.

Please visit http://www.globalcrossing.com/ or blogs.globalcrossing.com/ for more information about Global Crossing.

Statements in this press release about expected future events and financial results are forward-looking and subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause the actual results to differ materially, including risks referenced from time to time in the company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Global Crossing undertakes no duty to update information contained in this press release or in other public disclosures at any time.

CONTACT GLOBAL CROSSING: Press Contact Michael Schneider + 1 973 937 0146 michael.schneider@globalcrossing.com Analysts/Investors Contact Suzanne Lipton + 1 800 836 0342 glbc@globalcrossing.com IR/PR1

Global Crossing

CONTACT: Press, Michael Schneider, +1-973-937-0146,
michael.schneider@globalcrossing.com, Analysts/Investors, Suzanne Lipton,
+1-800-836-0342, glbc@globalcrossing.com

Web Site: http://blogs.globalcrossing.com/
http://investors.globalcrossing.com/events.cfm
http://www.globalcrossing.com/

SAP Embraces Next-Generation Collaborative Innovation With InnoCentiveGlobal Agreement Expands SAP Ecosystem With Addition of Online Marketplace as Forum for Global Community Co-InnovationSAP NetWeaver(R) Fund Makes Strategic Investment to Support Community Growth at InnoCentive

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Further enhancing the value of the SAP ecosystem for customers and partners, SAP AG today announced a global agreement with and SAP NetWeaver(R) Fund investment in InnoCentive, Inc., a global online open innovation marketplace. The addition of InnoCentive to the SAP ecosystem further fosters co-innovation by providing a global platform in which solution-providers are financially rewarded for offering solutions to complex business challenges. As part of the agreement, InnoCentive has created the SAP technology and innovation pavilion to provide SAP community members, as well as the diverse InnoCentive Solver network, the opportunity to address SAP-specific and broader technology and IT-oriented challenges. Kicking off the partnership, SAP has issued three challenges in the technology and innovation pavilion, with a challenge reward value totaling $25,000. SAP also announced that the SAP NetWeaver Fund has made an investment in InnoCentive to support the company scaling to meet increased activities and added community members. The announcement was made at SAP(R) TechEd 2008, being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept. 8-12.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a)

Launched in 2001, InnoCentive is a global open innovation marketplace, where individuals in all industries, regions and business areas collaborate to deliver breakthrough solutions for organizations driven by research and development (R&D). InnoCentive Seekers, who collectively spend billions of dollars on R&D, submit complex problems to the InnoCentive Marketplace, where more than 160,000 engineers, scientists, inventors, business people and research organizations in more than 175 countries are invited to solve them. Solvers who deliver the most innovative solutions receive financial awards.

SAP Customers, Partners and Community Members Benefit From the InnoCentive Cooperation

Demonstrating the power of the InnoCentive community and SAP communities combined, SAP and InnoCentive today kicked off the relationship with three introductory challenges. With a total combined reward of $25,000 the challenge topics address a range of areas, including examples of the use of social networking in enterprise applications, unified heterogeneous web server error handling, and the creation of a video regarding the benefits of community networks such as the SAP Developer Network or SAP's Business Process Expert community.

A robust ecosystem of talent including partners, customers and employees creates a fertile atmosphere for co-innovation. This co-innovation benefits customers, as well as SAP, with the ability to drive the creation of business solutions that help companies to become best-run businesses and leaders in their industry, work better with trading partners and better meet the demands of their customers. With more than 1.3 million members already collaborating and co-innovating via engagement in the SAP Community Network, including SAP Developer Network and SAP Business Process Expert community, the addition of InnoCentive as another forum for sharing, learning and co-innovation provides companies access to a broader pool of ideas and solutions for their business issues.

"We are excited to announce this global agreement with SAP," said Dwayne Spradlin, CEO, InnoCentive, Inc. "They are a leader in innovation, and this marks an important milestone for us as we expand our expertise in computer science and IT. We are confident that this collaboration will add value to both our Solver community and our Seeker clients, as well as to the SAP community. By bringing InnoCentive to the SAP Communities of Innovation, we're raising the bar on how enterprise organizations leverage and contribute to open innovation via the Web."

SAP NetWeaver Fund Fosters Future Development

In addition to the cooperation agreement, the SAP NetWeaver Fund has made a strategic investment in InnoCentive to support its scaling to meet increased activity. Created to fuel innovation within the SAP ecosystem, the SAP NetWeaver Fund made the investment in InnoCentive to enable additional development and enhancements of the company's community. Terms of the investment were not released.

"Identifying new opportunities to foster collaborative innovation is a cornerstone of SAP's ecosystem strategy," said Zia Yusuf, executive vice president, Global Ecosystem and Partner Group, SAP. "As we look to push the envelope on new forms of collaboration, bringing the InnoCentive marketplace to our communities marks a new era in how SAP, customers, partners and the community at large can come together to innovate and solve real business challenges. InnoCentive brings the best of web 2.0 to the enterprise, and the addition of the company to our distinguished list of SAP NetWeaver Fund investment recipients demonstrates SAP's commitment to delivering on its customer-focused ecosystem strategy. We look forward to working with InnoCentive to continue to deliver on the customer-focused value to the SAP community."

SAP(R) TechEd 2008 in Las Vegas, Berlin, Shanghai and Bangalore

More than 16,000 SAP customers, partners and technical experts are convening at SAP(R) TechEd 2008 to learn how to transform existing business processes and IT landscapes and take advantage of the power and flexibility of service-oriented architecture. Celebrating its 12th anniversary, SAP's largest ecosystem education event of the year offers more than 1,000 hours of lecture-driven and hands-on sessions. SAP TechEd 2008 is being held in Las Vegas on September 8-12, Berlin on October 14-16, Shanghai on November 5-6 and Bangalore on November 12-14. For more information, please visit http://www.sapteched.com/.

About the SAP NetWeaver Fund

The SAP NetWeaver Fund was established in May 2006 and focuses on strategic investments in select companies that are committed to the SAP ecosystem and are building innovative solutions based on the SAP NetWeaver technology platform. Opening up the platform to encourage development and co-innovation has been a key driver for SAP in recent years, and the formation of the SAP NetWeaver Fund represents yet another investment in SAP's growing ecosystem. Financed out of SAP's corporate development funds, the $125 million SAP NetWeaver Fund complements the efforts of SAP's venture arm, SAP Ventures.

About InnoCentive

Founded in 2001, InnoCentive built the first global web community for open innovation, enabling scientists, engineers, professionals and entrepreneurs to collaborate to deliver breakthrough solutions for innovative R&D-driven organizations. InnoCentive Seekers, who collectively spend billions of dollars on R&D, submit Challenges to the InnoCentive Marketplace where more than 160,000+ engineers, scientists, inventors, business people, and research organizations in more than 175 countries are invited to solve them. Solvers who deliver the most innovative solutions receive financial awards ranging up to US$1,000,000. InnoCentive's Seekers include commercial, government and non-profit organizations such as Procter & Gamble, Pendulum, Eli Lilly and Company, Janssen, Solvay, GlobalGiving and The Rockefeller Foundation.

For more information on InnoCentive: Liz Moise, (978) 482-3300, press@innocentive.com About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software(*), offering applications and services that enable companies of all sizes and in more than 25 industries to become best-run businesses. With approximately 75,000 customers (includes customers from the acquisition of Business Objects) in over 120 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE, under the symbol "SAP". (For more information, visit http://www.sap.com/)

(*) SAP defines business software as comprising enterprise resource planning and related applications.

Any statements contained in this document that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements as defined in the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as "anticipate," "believe," "estimate," "expect," "forecast," "intend," "may," "plan," "project," "predict," "should" and "will" and similar expressions as they relate to SAP are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. SAP undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations. The factors that could affect SAP's future financial results are discussed more fully in SAP's filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"), including SAP's most recent Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the SEC. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of their dates.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only: Lindsey Held, +1 (650) 320-3542, lindsey.held@sap.com, PDT SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET; +1 (610) 661-3200, EDT; press@sap.com Maria Cubeta, Burson-Marsteller, +1 (415) 591-4070, maria.cubeta@bm.com, PDT To speak with press contacts on site during SAP TechEd 2008 Las Vegas (from September 8 to 12), please dial the SAP press room at +1 (610) 661-0469.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com SAP AG

CONTACT: Lindsey Held of SAP AG, +1-650-320-3542, lindsey.held@sap.com,
PDT, or SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET, +1-610-661-3200, EDT,
press@sap.com; or Maria Cubeta of Burson-Marsteller, +1-415-591-4070,
maria.cubeta@bm.com, PDT, for SAP AG; or to speak with press contacts on site
during SAP TechEd 2008 Las Vegas (from September 8 to 12), please dial the SAP
press room at +1 (610) 661-0469; or Liz Moise of InnoCentive, +1-978-482-3300,
press@innocentive.com

Web site: http://www.sap.com/

SAP Offers Certification for Business Process ExpertsCertification in Business Process Management Extends Employment Opportunities for Business Process Experts, Adds Resources for Customers and Partners

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- SAP AG today announced that it has introduced a new certification for business process experts to meet increasing market demand for business process management expertise. The new certification for individuals who perform business process management is part of a multi-faceted effort by SAP, working together with its customers and partners, to attract and train qualified business process professionals, providing growing opportunities for employment within the SAP ecosystem. As one of the first companies to offer model-driven tools and composite applications for business process experts, SAP has grown its Business Process Expert community to 425,000 members with the new certification as the latest program to equip members to accelerate business process innovation in companies of all sizes. The announcement was made at SAP(R) TechEd 2008, being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept. 8-12.

(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a)

Demand for this new certification underscores the increasing importance of having a workforce of skilled experts who can fully leverage the ability to create and compose new business processes to meet ever-changing business requirements. The training equips business process professionals with a holistic business process management methodology that ensures these experts bring an even stronger value to customers who require these expertise skills. Business process management requires and enables organizations to manage the complete revision cycles of their processes, from process design to monitoring and optimization. It also ensures organizations change those revisions cycles more frequently to adjust to changing circumstances. Responding to customers' demand for explicit methodology that maximizes the potential of their SAP investment, the new education and certification from SAP provides a disciplined approach and direction for business process execution and is aligned with flexible service-oriented architecture capabilities of SAP offerings.

"Our customers require business processes that not only support rapid change, but also become the catalyst for process innovation," said Phil Kisloff, SAP application consultant, Capgemini. "SAP's commitment, and subsequent actions, to ensuring that business process professionals throughout its ecosystem are qualified to support this demand is a requirement."

The new certification will be offered through the Business Process Expert community. As one of the key communities within the SAP ecosystem, the Business Process Expert community is an online social network that connects SAP customers, business analysts, consultants and SAP internal experts. Leveraging Web 2.0 technologies, the community enhances the work lives of all participants -- empowering members to connect with peers, share ideas, and find solutions related to business process and software challenges. First formed in 2006 as an outgrowth of the successful SAP Developer Network, the Business Process Expert community, with SAP's leadership, grew in a movement of people with similar interest in response to market demands for business process expertise. In two short years, the membership has expanded to more than 425,000.

Through the community, members are sharing best practices, experience and information to leverage service-oriented architecture to increase business agility in addition to delving into product offerings provided by SAP and its partners. They're also identifying talent and learning about industry and process best practices. Business process professionals, meanwhile, are mastering implementation strategies, gaining community-wide visibility and growing their talents by means of education and certification.

By achieving certification from SAP, business process professionals are better-equipped to bridge the worlds of information technology (IT) and business by bringing industry knowledge and business expertise to leverage composition software tools in order to increase business agility. Business process professionals will be able to take the exams at the location of their choice within the four weeks following the close of the SAP TechEd event series. Certification and training sessions that will be available include business process management strategic context, governance, methodology, technology and service-oriented architecture. Certification exams will be available onsite at the SAP TechEd Bangalore and Shanghai shows.

Education Innovation Ensures Knowledge Transfer for Customers

Ongoing education for SAP professionals is crucial to expanding the pool of resources and translating success to customers' bottom lines. As the largest training organization in the world, SAP Education provides the training for the majority of SAP professionals, customer and partner employees alike. According to Hewitt Associates, "Over the last few years, the SAP Skill Compensation Survey has depicted a trend of high pay increases for those skilled in SAP. The 2008 survey is no exception."

"Ensuring an IT and business team has the right skills and knowledge, and at the right time, are undeniably critical factors in the growth of sophisticated systems," said David Foote, co-founder, CEO and chief research officer, Foote Partners LLC. "Organizations not only need to grow their professional talent pool, but also be more aggressive in training and certifying those already within it to sustain growth and improve organizational performance. SAP is taking steps to meet the strong demand for skilled business process professionals in its ecosystem."

The announcement was made at the first of four SAP TechEd conferences where the primary purpose is to provide hands on opportunities for SAP professionals to increase their skills. More than 16,000 attendees will attend more than 1,000 hours of classroom sessions at SAP TechEd in Las Vegas, Berlin, Shanghai and Bangalore. To meet the increasing demand for skilled IT and business professionals, SAP and its partners have certified more than 18,000 skilled professionals into its ecosystem in the first half of 2008 alone.

"By combining initiatives that provide easy delivery and consumption of education and cross-team collaboration, we are striving to build our existing professional talent pool to continue delivering innovative solutions to customers," said Bernd-Michael Rumpf, corporate officer and global head of Field Services, SAP. "The benefits of these ongoing and focused initiatives impact the entire SAP ecosystem -- SAP, customers, partners, universities and communities alike -- by creating a 'preferred employment' status for current and new SAP professionals."

For more information, please visit: http://www.sap.com/services/education/catalog/enterprisesoa.

SAP(R) TechEd 2008 in Las Vegas, Berlin, Shanghai and Bangalore

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software(*), offering applications and services that enable companies of all sizes and in more than 25 industries to become best-run businesses. With approximately 75,000 customers (includes customers from the acquisition of Business Objects) in over 120 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE, under the symbol "SAP." (For more information, visit http://www.sap.com/)

(*) SAP defines business software as comprising enterprise resource planning and related applications.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only: Phillips Hofmann, SAP, +49 (6227) 7-40970, phillips.hofmann@sap.com, CET SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET; +1 (610) 661-3200, EDT; press@sap.com Helena Ronner, Burson-Marsteller, +1 (212) 614-4185, helena.ronner@bm.com, EDT Tanja Charrier, Burson-Marsteller, +49 69 238 09-58, tanja.charrier@bm.com, CET To speak with press contacts on site during SAP TechEd 2008 Las Vegas (from September 8 to 12), please dial the SAP press room at +1 (610) 661-0469.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk photodesk@prnewswire.com SAP AG

CONTACT: Phillips Hofmann, SAP, +49 (6227) 7-40970,
phillips.hofmann@sap.com, CET, or SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET,
+1-610-661-3200, EDT, press@sap.com, all of SAP; or Helena Ronner,
+1-212-614-4185, helena.ronner@bm.com, EDT, or Tanja Charrier,
+49 69 238 09-58, tanja.charrier@bm.com, CET, both of Burson-Marsteller for
SAP; or SAP TechEd 2008 Las Vegas, (from September 8 to 12), please dial the
SAP press room at +1-610-661-0469

Web site: http://www.sap.com/

Kraft Finds Single Source of Truth With SAPLeading Global Foods Manufacturer Utilizes SAP NetWeaver(R) Master Data Management to Increase Efficiencies and Provide Unified Data Foundation for SAP(R) ERP Roll-Out

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Continuing to deliver innovative technology solutions meeting the needs of consumer products companies, SAP AG today announced that Kraft Foods , maker of the world's favorite food brands, including Oscar Mayer meats, Philadelphia cream cheese, Maxwell House coffee and Nabisco cookies, has adopted the SAP NetWeaver(R) technology platform as the backbone of its trusted information and business transformation strategy. Kraft has deployed SAP NetWeaver(R) Master Data Management (SAP NetWeaver MDM) to integrate and consolidate data both from SAP and non-SAP legacy systems, enabling increased efficiency, more effective reporting and streamlined compliance. In less than nine months, Kraft's SAP NetWeaver MDM project rolled out data repositories focused on customer, product, vendor and materials data, to lay a foundation of comprehensive, real-time data as the company embarked upon a North American rollout of SAP's flagship enterprise resource planning product, SAP(R) ERP. The announcement was made at SAP(R) TechEd 2008, being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept. 8-12.

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"Unified master data is a critical component in Kraft's global business transformation effort," said Mark Johnson, senior director, Operations & Business Services at Kraft Foods, Inc. "Investing in technological innovations such as SAP NetWeaver MDM provides key decision-makers with reliable real-time access to master data from SAP and non-SAP solutions -- transcending organizational, geographic and systems boundaries. Our teams are now able to make more effective decisions, improve collaboration with suppliers and trading partners, and more easily comply with reporting requirements. By establishing an effective master data management process, we will gain a broader view of our company's data, streamline our SAP ERP deployment and accelerate the time to value for the new system."

Consumer products companies, particularly food companies such as Kraft, are challenged to track, update and report on data regarding thousands of finished goods including sources of ingredients for food items. In order to best comply with reporting regulations and increase efficiencies in business processes such as order-to-cash, Kraft needed to standardize data to arrive at a "single source of truth," eliminating redundancies and data discrepancies. As part of this process, Kraft established a global data governance model that will help improve data integrity.

As Kraft continues an overall IT transformation to position the company for continued leadership, the use of standardized master data will enable Kraft to develop more accurate insights into customer needs and help employees make better business decisions quickly. The company is utilizing SAP NetWeaver(R) Process Integration as the integration layer for moving foundational data into the SAP ERP application. Kraft is also implementing universal data feeds out of MDM as part of its service-oriented architecture, which allows SAP and non-SAP systems to get the data they need without building multiple interfaces.

This strategy allows Kraft to have a single source of master data, reducing the number of disparate data sources, creating consistent definitions and providing opportunities to harmonize wherever possible. Access to quality master data is key to the success of the overall business transformation as Kraft implements its SAP ERP solution.

SAP NetWeaver MDM provides harmonized, consistent reference information to applications across the enterprise, enabling companies to store and consolidate master data from heterogeneous systems in multiple locations. The product is an integral part of SAP solutions that support customers' enterprise information management strategies. It is complemented by Business Objects information management products including BusinessObjects(TM) Data Integrator, BusinessObjects Data Quality Management and BusinessObjects Data Services.

"For companies that are making the SAP NetWeaver technology platform the centerpiece of their service-oriented architecture, an enterprise information management strategy is a critical first step," said Klaus Kreplin, corporate officer and member of the Executive Council, head of SAP NetWeaver Technology, SAP AG. "SAP NetWeaver master data management capabilities enable industry-leading companies such as Kraft Foods to consolidate and better oversee complex product, sales and vendor information. Companies embarking on their business network transformation initiatives need a single, trusted version of the truth as the basis for improving core business. The SAP NetWeaver technology platform can help companies achieve that goal."

SAP(R) TechEd 2008 in Las Vegas, Berlin, Shanghai and Bangalore

About SAP

SAP is the world's leading provider of business software(*), offering applications and services that enable companies of all sizes and in more than 25 industries to become best-run businesses. With approximately 75,000 customers (includes customers from the acquisition of Business Objects) in over 120 countries, the company is listed on several exchanges, including the Frankfurt stock exchange and NYSE, under the symbol "SAP." (For more information, visit http://www.sap.com/)

(*) SAP defines business software as comprising enterprise resource planning and related applications.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only: Shabana Khan, +1 (415) 623-9217, shabana.khan@sap.com, PDT SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET; +1 (610) 661-3200, EDT; press@sap.com Rachel Allen, Burson-Marsteller, +1 (415) 591-4041, rachel.allen@bm.com, PDT Hilmar Schepp, +49 (6227) 7-46799, hilmar.schepp@sap.com, CET

To speak with press contacts on site during SAP TechEd 2008 Las Vegas (from September 8 to 12), please dial the SAP press room at +1 (610) 661-0469.

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AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com SAP AG

CONTACT: Shabana Khan, +1-415-623-9217, shabana.khan@sap.com, PDT, or
Hilmar Schepp, +49 (6227) 7-46799, hilmar.schepp@sap.com, CET, both of SAP, or
SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET, +1-610-661-3200, EDT,
press@sap.com; or Rachel Allen of Burson-Marsteller, +1-415-591-4041,
rachel.allen@bm.com, PDT, for SAP AG

Web site: http://www.sap.com/

Business Objects Launches New Version of Metadata Management SolutionBusinessObjects(TM) Metadata Management XI 3.0 Enables Comprehensive Data Governance With Easier Access to Metadata Across Heterogeneous ApplicationsIntroduces Industry's First 'Metapedia' to Translate Metadata into Business Terms

LAS VEGAS, Sept. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Business Objects, an SAP company, today announced the availability of BusinessObjects(TM) Metadata Management XI 3.0, software that enables organizations to support data governance by providing a central view of metadata assets and their relationships. By bringing all metadata from disparate tools and sources into one unified repository, customers gain the transparency necessary to successfully govern their enterprise data. Metadata Management XI 3.0 includes the industry's first "metapedia" -- an encyclopedia that translates metadata into business definitions, allowing for easier navigation and data discovery by business users. The announcement was made at SAP(R) TechEd 2008, being held in Las Vegas, Nevada, Sept. 8-12.

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Metadata provides information about data from across the enterprise, enabling IT professionals to better understand the business content, origin and context of any corporate, operational or technical data. Providing customers with improved capabilities to understand and manage metadata is a necessary first step for any successful data-driven initiative including business intelligence (BI), data migration or data quality. Only with this insight into metadata can companies successfully implement a data governance strategy, which will help ensure compliance by delivering trusted, well-understood information to business users. With Metadata Management XI 3.0, customers can now bring metadata together in one place regardless of whether it comes from Business Objects products or other vendors' BI, data integration or data modeling tools.

Included in Metadata Management XI 3.0 is the industry's first "metapedia" -- a business metadata encyclopedia for richer metadata discovery. Users are able to create and populate metapedias with a business glossary of terms that describe their business data, and organize these terms hierarchically by subject areas or business units. These users can then develop a standard vocabulary of words, phrases and business concepts, so that metadata is associated with particular terms. With this capability, customers can now proactively address compliance mandates and bridge the gap between business and IT users.

"The new metapedia functionality in the latest version of Metadata Management will support our data governance programs because we will be able to name a term and enter a detailed description with synonyms against it," said William Robinette, manager, Business Intelligence Systems, Advance Auto Parts.

Fully integrated with BusinessObjects XI 3.0, the industry's first unified BI platform, Metadata Management XI 3.0 provides a single point of administration across a broad spectrum of deployment scenarios, taking advantage of the platform's security services and scalable platform architecture. For example, Metadata Management XI 3.0 works seamlessly with the BI platform to verify and authorize user actions, which ensures only authorized users can access sensitive business data within Metadata Management XI 3.0. Tighter integration with the platform also provides businesses with a simplified user interface to view metadata and better understand data lineage and context.

"Our customers are constantly facing the challenge of managing information from various data sources, technologies and systems," said Marge Breya, general manager and executive vice president, Business Intelligence Platform, Business Objects, an SAP company. "They are looking to gain access to unified, reliable and trusted information via an intuitive user experience. With today's announcement, we are helping organizations to bridge the information divide between the 'technically capable' and the 'professionally informed' so that everyone can have the decision-quality information they need to do their jobs."

Metadata Management XI 3.0 customers are provided expanded platform support beyond Microsoft Windows and Apache Tomcat to include: UNIX operating systems (Linux, Solaris and IBM AIX), as well as other application servers, such as IBM WebSphere, Oracle BEA WebLogic and Oracle Application Server.

Availability

Metadata Management XI 3.0 is generally available today from Business Objects and its broad set of partners and software resellers. For more information, please visit http://www.businessobjects.com/.

SAP(R) TechEd 2008 in Las Vegas, Berlin, Shanghai and Bangalore

More than 16,000 SAP customers, partners and technical experts are convening at SAP(R) TechEd 2008 to learn how to transform existing business processes and IST landscapes and take advantage of the power and flexibility of service-oriented architecture. Celebrating its 12th anniversary, SAP's largest ecosystem education event of the year offers more than 1,000 hours of lecture-driven and hands-on sessions. SAP TechEd 2008 is being held in Las Vegas on September 8-12, Berlin on October 14-16, Shanghai on November 5-6 and Bangalore on November 12-14. For more information, please visit http://www.sapteched.com/.

About Business Objects

Business Objects, an SAP company, transforms the way the world works by connecting people, information and businesses. With open, heterogeneous applications in the areas of governance, risk and compliance; enterprise performance management; and business intelligence, Business Objects enables organizations of all sizes worldwide to close the gap between business strategy and execution. Together with a strong and diverse partner network, Business Objects allows customers to optimize business performance across all major industries including banking, retail, consumer-packaged goods and public sector. Business Objects is committed to helping customers turn raw data into actionable decisions, regardless of their underlying database, operating system, applications or IT system.

For more information about Business Objects, visit: http://www.businessobjects.com/.

For more information about SAP, visit: http://www.sap.com/.

SAP, R/3, mySAP, mySAP.com, xApps, xApp, SAP NetWeaver and other SAP products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of SAP AG in Germany and in several other countries all over the world. Business Objects and the Business Objects logo, BusinessObjects, Crystal Reports, Crystal Decisions, Web Intelligence, Xcelsius and other Business Objects products and services mentioned herein as well as their respective logos are trademarks or registered trademarks of Business Objects S.A. in the United States and in several other countries. All other names mentioned herein may be trademarks of their respective owners. All other product and service names mentioned are the trademarks of their respective companies. Data contained in this document serve informational purposes only. National product specifications may vary.

For customers interested in learning more about SAP products: Global Customer Center: +49 180 534-34-24 United States Only: 1 (800) 872-1SAP (1-800-872-1727) For more information, press only: Dorit Shackleton, Business Objects, +1 (604) 974-2444, dorit.shackleton@sap.com, PDT SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET; +1 (610) 661-3200, EDT; press@sap.com Jeff Shadid, Burson-Marsteller, +1 (214) 224-8419, jeff.shadid@bm.com, CDT Nicole Urhahn-Schmitt, Burson-Marsteller, +49 (0)69 2 38 09-43, nicole.urhahn-schmitt@bm.com, CEST

To speak with press contacts on site during SAP TechEd 2008 Las Vegas (from September 8 to 12), please dial the SAP press room at +1 (610) 661-0469.

Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20050310/SFTH009LOGO-a
AP Archive: http://photoarchive.ap.org/
PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com SAP AG

CONTACT: Dorit Shackleton of Business Objects, +1-604-974-2444,
dorit.shackleton@sap.com, PDT; or SAP Press Office, +49 (6227) 7-46315, CET,
+1-610-661-3200, EDT, press@sap.com; or Jeff Shadid, +1-214-224-8419,
jeff.shadid@bm.com, CDT, or Nicole Urhahn-Schmitt, +49 (0)69 2 38 09-43,
nicole.urhahn-schmitt@bm.com, CEST, both of Burson-Marsteller, for SAP AG

Web site: http://www.sap.com/
http://www.businessobjects.com/