Tis the Season to Shop Safely

Comcast Alerts Consumers to Protect Your Computers and Personal Information Before Shopping Online This Holiday Season

As the holiday shopping season begins, more consumers will be turning to the Internet this year to find special deals and offers in hopes of saving money during this tough economic time. According to Shop.org’s recent eHoliday Study, more than half of online retailers expect their holiday sales to increase at least 15 percent over last year.*

Although online shopping can be convenient and even cost-effective, there are some dangers that lurk on the Web and the anticipated increase in online shopping sales could entice a cyber criminal to look for their next victim. Comcast, the nation’s largest residential broadband Internet service provider, is committed to helping consumers protect themselves from cyber scams and other Internet threats by providing online shopping safety tips for the holiday season.

“In this difficult economy, more people may shop online this holiday season looking for coupons, discounts and better deals so it’s important for them to know how to protect their computers from online threats that can compromise personal information and lead to identity theft,” said Jay Opperman, Senior Director of Security and Privacy for Comcast.

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Comcast Helps Consumers Through Digital Broadcast Transition with Free Basic Cable

Cable is Free When Combined with Economy Internet or Phone Service

Offers Complement Company’s Ongoing Efforts to Help Consumers “Get Ready” for Government’s Digital Transition

Comcast, South Florida’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications products and services, is launching its Get Ready initiative today to encourage consumers to take action and choose their solution to the digital broadcast transition now, before the government mandate goes into effect.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has ordered local TV stations to vacate the frequency locations they have occupied since the 1940’s. The only place viewers will be able to access local channels after February 17, 2009 will be on their new digital frequency locations.

As part of this new initiative, Comcast is offering low-cost solutions, including free basic cable for 12 months to those who sign up for at least one additional Comcast service. New customers who choose not to subscribe to additional Comcast services can get basic cable for just $10 a month for a full year. Current customers can add basic cable to additional TVs at no additional monthly fee.

Comcast Announces More Than 1,000 HD Choices Available – the Most HD Content Anytime, Anywhere

HD Choices Increase Five-Fold This Year

As HD viewing skyrockets, Comcast Corporation (Nasdaq: CMCSA, CMCSK), the nation’s leading provider of entertainment, information and communications, today announced that it now has more than 1,000 high-definition (HD) viewing choices, delivering on the company’s commitment to significantly increase HD programming by year end. This announcement also marks a major milestone for Project Infinity, Comcast’s vision to give consumers the ability to watch any movie, television show, user generated content or other video that a producer wants to make available On Demand.

"Consumers can't get enough HD, so we’re now offering over a thousand HD choices, five times more than last year. However, it's not just about HD volume, but about having the highest-quality content consumers really want, whether they want to watch live or on their schedule," said Derek Harrar, General Manager and Senior Vice President of Video Services for Comcast. "With the best HD movies, top-rated HD shows and the hottest HD music all On Demand ... we're delivering the future of HD television, today."

Slowsky Videos

AOL Money & Finance to Feature BLOOMBERG TELEVISION Video

First Outside Financial Site to Host BLOOMBERG TELEVISION Multi-Media Content

AOL Money & Finance will carry content from BLOOMBERG TELEVISION®, making it the first major site other than Bloomberg.com to host videos from the 24/7 business and financial news network.

Each weekday, AOL Money & Finance, http://money.aol.com, will feature 20 new video clips from BLOOMBERG TELEVISION across the Money & Finance site, including its video site, http://money.aol.com/videos. BLOOMBERG TELEVISION content is created exclusively by the global BLOOMBERG NEWS^® service, with 143 bureaus in 69 countries.

The new relationship also lets advertisers reach across AOL and BLOOMBERG TELEVISION content with a single campaign. Advertising on AOL’s site will be sold by AOL’s digital advertising business, Platform-A, http://www.platform-a.com, which will offer advertising opportunities in display advertising, video advertising and content-targeted links.

AOL Launches New Digital City Website

From Lifestyle to Entertainment, DigitalCity.com Covers Local Trends with a Global Appeal

AOL announced the launch of Digital City, http://www.digitalcity.com, a new, magazine-style site that enables readers to stay on top of the latest entertainment trends and stories from around the world. Digital City takes a new approach to geo-blogging by showcasing original content with a local slant, but global appeal.

In addition to daily posts on topics ranging from the arts to fall festivities, Digital City has weekly features focusing on news and trends in entertainment, concerts, nightlife and dining. The monthly blogazine “Drink World” is devoted to the global culture of drinking.

“We’re excited to launch Digital City and to continue our legacy of providing consumers with compelling local entertainment information,” said Chris Spanos, General Manager of AOL Local. “From the serious to the irreverent, Digital City is sure to inform and entertain readers.”

Digital City, http://www.digitalcity.com, is part of the AOL Local Network, which is the largest online local network with a monthly reach of 60 million unduplicated unique visitors.* The site will be monetized through advertising packages that will be sold exclusively through Platform-A, AOL's digital advertising business.

With 10,000 Online Theaters Open, SnagFilms Will Present Premiere of “Haze” Simultaneously with Hamptons International Film Festival

In a keynote presentation to the IFP’s Independent Film Week Conference, SnagFilms CEO Rick Allen today updated the independent film community on developments since the site’s launch, and announced that Haze, a documentary film introduced by Robin Wright Penn, will premiere simultaneously on SnagFilms and at the Hamptons International Film Festival.

With its focus on the death of a young Colorado University fraternity pledge, Gordie Bailey, due to alcohol poisoning, Haze is a documentary that explores a range of issues regarding youth culture in America and their use of alcohol, such as binge drinking, hazing, the current drinking age and peer pressure. Robin Wright Penn is a Golden Globe- and Screen Actors Guild Award-nominated actress. The 16^th annual Hamptons International Film Festival takes place October 15^th to 19^th. SnagFilms brings the best nonfiction films to the web audience, promotes viral web distribution through virtual movie theater widgets, and engages viewers to assist charitable and community efforts. The premiere of Haze online simultaneously to its premiere at a festival is the first time there has been such a “dual premiere.”

“We are so thrilled to partner with SnagFilms on this unique opportunity to present Haze to the wide audience that the film deserves. It is a special film, and one that we feel strongly should be shared by both our audiences here in the Hamptons, and to as broad a population as possible. This new initiative will really allow us to fulfill that goal,” said David Nugent, Hamptons International Film Festival, Programming Director.

Bridgevine and Verizon Sign Agreement on FiOS Services

Bridgevine Offers Consumers Both Fiber Optic TV and High Speed Internet

VERO BEACH, Fla. & ATLANTA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Bridgevine Inc., the trusted source for consumers to compare and shop for cable TV, fiber optic TV, high speed Internet and other home services, announced the company will now offer to consumers the Verizon FiOS TV and FiOS high speed Internet services.

“These fiber optic TV and high speed internet services are a proven hit with consumers and we’re proud to add them to our suite of offerings,” states Bridgevine’s President and CEO Vinny Olmstead. “We offer three Verizon FiOS TV plans. FiOS Local that includes all local channels. FiOS Premier with more than 200 channels including music and the ability to add premium movie channels and FiOS TV La Connexion, which has 140 channels including 35 English, 25 Spanish-language and additional music channels.”

Verizon FiOS Internet is a broadband service designed to provide Internet access with the fastest download speeds currently available — up to 50 megabits per second. The package includes a suite of services with access to newsgroups, nine email accounts and 10 MB of personal web storage. FiOS is an alternative to DSL and cable, provided on a state-of-the-art fiber-optic network. These services are available directly from the Bridgevine.com website or from Bridgevine’s shopping platform, dslnational.com.

Bridgevine’s consumer-facing website, Bridgevine.com, addresses the often daunting task of shopping for services in a marketplace where constantly changing prices, promotions and package offerings can leave consumers unsure if they are getting the best deal, or even the service that best meets their need. Unlike other “comparison” shopping sites, the Bridgevine experience is differentiated by a unified shopping cart, real-time pricing, order status and scheduling to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. Bridgevine’s deep integration with leading service providers enables the company to deliver the most accurate information on services, pricing and special promotions, adding even more value to the bundled services shopping experience.

About Bridgevine

Founded in 2003, Bridgevine, Inc. is headquartered in Vero Beach, FL with an office in Atlanta, GA. The company’s consumer-facing website, Bridgevine.com, is a trusted source for consumers to compare and shop for the services that shape their lives. From communications to entertainment to security, Bridgevine.com lets consumers choose individual services that are best for them, or create personalized bundles from trusted providers resulting in saved time and money. Unlike other “comparison” shopping websites, Bridgevine’s powerful technology offers a unified shopping cart, real-time pricing, order status and scheduling to deliver the best customer experience in the industry. Bridgevine’s deep integration with leading service providers from across the country — including Comcast, AT&T, D-Link, Time Warner Cable, Verizon, DIRECTV, RealNetworks, Panasonic, GameFly and more — enables Bridgevine to deliver the most accurate information on services, pricing and special promotions, adding even more value to the bundled services shopping experience. The company’s proprietary ecommerce platform is licensed by leading retailers, websites and Fortune 500 companies, making it possible for them to monetize online, call center and in-store traffic. Bridgevine was ranked 57 on the prestigious 2007 Inc. 500 list of fastest growing private companies. For more information, please visit www.bridgevine.com.

Contacts

Bridgevine, Inc., Vero Beach
Mark Ballard, 772-539-0618
mark.ballard@bridgevine.com

AT&T Introduces the AT&T USBConnect Mercury, Delivering 3G Mobile Broadband Speed With Style

AT&T USBConnect Mercury Offers Compact Design and New User-Friendly Features to Access Nation's Fastest 3G Network

AT&T Inc. and Sierra Wireless today announced the availability of the AT&T USBConnect Mercury, the newest and smallest addition to AT&T's High Speed Packet Access (HSPA)-capable lineup of LaptopConnect devices on the nation's fastest third-generation (3G) network.

Designed and manufactured by Sierra Wireless, the AT&T USBConnect Mercury is a convenient, easy-to-use USB device that provides a high speed connection to the AT&T wireless network whenever it's needed. The device provides plug-and-play installation by including a preloaded version of AT&T Communication Manager software for Microsoft Windows Vista, XP and 2000 notebooks and Sierra's Watcher(TM) software for Mac notebooks (versions 10.4.11 or later) so that new customers can get up and running quickly and easily.

Hughes Launches Fastest Ever Satellite Broadband Access Plans for Businesses Throughout the U.S.

New HughesNet Business Internet Plans Bring Affordable and Reliable Broadband Access at Speeds up to 5 Mbps

Hughes Network Systems, LLC the global leader in broadband satellite network solutions and services, today announced the availability of HughesNet Business Internet service plans, the fastest satellite Internet plans ever offered, bringing affordable, reliable, and high-performance broadband access to small- and mid-sized businesses (SMB) throughout the nation.

Starting at only $59.99 per month, HughesNet Business Internet plans have been specifically tailored to the SMB market complete with competitive pricing and flexible billing options. Customers can choose from seven plans, with speeds up to 1 Mbps on the uplink and up to 5 Mbps on the downlink, and are available to SMBs regardless of their location, which may be outside the reach of terrestrial cable and DSL providers.

"We estimate that there are over three million underserved businesses in the U.S.," said Sam Baumel, assistant vice president of SMB at Hughes. "Because of where they're located, these business owners don't have access to DSL, are using a slow dial-up connection, or are paying for costly T-1 service. Our new HughesNet Business Internet plans offer an affordable, nationwide solution that will help any small business stay connected and grow."

Verizon Goes to 'Extremes' in Massachusetts and Rhode Island With New Service Bundles Featuring High-Octane High-Def TV, Ultra-High-Speed Internet and

New FiOS TV Customers Eligible for a Free High-Def DVR for 12 Months and Free Month of HBO and Cinemax

Verizon is bringing its FiOS customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island the ultimate broadband and home entertainment experiences, with new FiOS Freedom bundles. Bundle options now include a new FiOS TV Extreme service tier with more high-definition (HD) channels than the cable companies in the market, in addition to ultra-high-speed FiOS Internet service that blows cable away, plus reliable, unlimited local and long-distance calling.

Also today, Verizon announced the launch of 75 new channels, including 55 additional high-definition (HD) channels, in the region. FiOS TV customers in the area now have more than 480 HD choices available at any time, with a total of 85 HD channels and more than 400 HD video-on-demand (VOD) titles offered each month. [Note: This announcement and others can be found at Verizon's online news center: http://newscenter.verizon.com/.]

"We've gone all-out with affordable new packages for customers in Massachusetts and Rhode Island," said Bob Driscoll, Verizon vice president of sales and marketing in New England. "They combine the fastest Internet access -- period -- with high-quality, high-def TV picture quality and superior voice service, all delivered over the nation's most advanced fiber-optic network."

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Florida, Mass., Consumers Now Have High-Speed Access to the Internet

Verizon Launches Broadband Service in First of 24 New Communities

Consumers and businesses in this tiny western Massachusetts community now have access to the Internet -- at rocket speeds powered by Verizon.

Starting Wednesday (Aug. 13), Verizon High Speed Internet service is being offered throughout Florida, one of 24 western Massachusetts communities where broadband Internet access has been unavailable. Verizon is planning to offer the service to the 23 other communities this year.

The service will give Internet users the ability to download at speeds of 768 Kbps (kilobits per second), 21 times faster than the current dial-up capability in Florida.

"This is a historic day for the town of Florida and for Verizon," said Donna C. Cupelo, Verizon region president for Massachusetts and Rhode Island, who declared Verizon High Speed Internet service "open for business" in Florida.

"We are proud to be able to bring the benefits of broadband Internet service to consumers in Florida today and soon to thousands more consumers in western Massachusetts," she said. "Verizon's investments in Massachusetts have and will continue to be a major contributor to growing the state's economy."

Yahoo! Launches Fire Eagle

New Platform Enables Users to Easily Update and Manage Their Location Information Across the Web

Yahoo! Inc. today announced the general availability of Fire Eagle (http://fireeagle.yahoo.net), an open platform that helps users take their location to the Web while giving them the ability to easily control how and where their location data is shared.

Fire Eagle gives users a place to store and manage information about their location, and offers developers clear protocols for updating or accessing that information. Because it’s open, any networked service can use Fire Eagle to respond to a user’s location – to help them find their friends, annotate the world or find nearby services or local information.

“Fire Eagle is about making everything on the Internet more useful, fun or interesting by adding the element of location,” said Tom Coates, head of product at Yahoo! Brickhouse. “We’re here to help people take their location to the Web by giving them the ability to control how much detail about their location they want to share and which applications they want to share it with.”

Microsoft Flops and Loses 7% of the Browser Market in Last 12 Months - Vista Still Only Used by Less Than 15% of all Users, per Janco

Janco and the IT Productivity Center have just released their Browser and Operating System Market Share White Paper. The major findings are: Microsoft's browser market share has continued to erode and has fallen to 58.50% versus 65.48% (loss of 6.96%) in August 2007 and 82.99% (loss of 24.49%) in August 2005; Firefox has maintained its number 2 browser position and now is used by almost 19% (18.94%) of all users; Google Desktop has over 4% (4.01%) of the market; and Time Warner made a strategic error in abandoning Netscape as users continue to use Netscape even though AOL no longer supports it.

The study also finds that on the Operating System front, Microsoft's Vista has just under 15% (14.94%) of the market after almost 20 months since Vista's first release candidate (RC1). Victor Janulaitis, the CEO of Janco, said, "Both Vista and Netscape show that large companies make huge blunders in technology. In the case of Microsoft, they no longer count on moving users to new products as quickly as they want. Time Warner's short-sighted decision to abandon Netscape shows technology decisions are long-term ones, and companies that want to create value in that market need to look beyond quarter-to- quarter earnings. But the real story is the continued erosion of Microsoft's market share."

Qwest Now Offering Verizon Wireless Services

Verizon Wireless’ Voice and High-Speed Data Services Available to New Qwest Residential and Business Customers – Switch Details for Existing Customers to be Announced Soon

Qwest Communications announced today that it is now offering Verizon Wireless services to all new residential and business customers in its residential service area. Through the five-year agent agreement announced earlier this year, new Qwest customers can now purchase Verizon Wireless products and services, including handsets, smartphones and BlackBerry devices, as well as high-speed wireless broadband services for e-mail, Internet access and multimedia services, such as mobile music and video.

Verizon Wireless services may be purchased at Qwest retail outlets and kiosks, online at www.qwest.com and at 1 800-244-1111. New residential and business customers can choose from the full line of Verizon Wireless devices and nationwide plans, which include unlimited national IN Calling to more than 65 million Verizon Wireless customers. Qwest will work with individual customers to help them select the Verizon Wireless handsets and plans that best meet their wireless needs.

Current Qwest Wireless customers will soon be notified directly about all Verizon Wireless plans and handset options, and are not required to do anything at this time.

“New Qwest customers can now experience America's Most Reliable Wireless Network from Verizon Wireless and enjoy the benefits of the wireless industry leader’s latest devices, services and content,” said Dan Yost, executive vice president of IT and product for Qwest. “This is another example of Qwest’s commitment to delivering simplified, integrated solutions to customers through the power of a strategic retail alliance.”

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Esquire Becomes First Magazine to Merge Digital Technology with Printed Pages

Cover of 75^th Anniversary Issue Will Use Electronic Paper Revolutionary October Issue Provides Glimpse into the Future of Media Ford Flex Partners with Esquire to Feature Ground-Breaking Technology

Esquire, one of America’s iconic magazines, is turning 75 this year. As part of the celebration of this milestone, the October issue will be the first magazine ever to embed a revolutionary digital technology – electronic paper – into a mass-produced print product.

In partnership with the all-new Ford Flex Crossover and in collaboration with E Ink Corporation, the world's leading supplier of electronic paper display (EPD) technologies, Esquire’s groundbreaking cover will make a profound statement about how the print medium can expand its capabilities while continuing to exploit its own unique strengths. Ford will prominently feature its highly anticipated Ford Flex on the inside cover, utilizing the same E Ink Vizplex^TM flexible display technology, in a double-page advertisement.

“This cover is both a breakthrough for magazines and an expression of the theme of our anniversary issue,” said David Granger, editor-in-chief, Esquire. “We’ve spent 16 months making this happen as one of the ways we’re demonstrating that the 21^st century begins this fall. The entire issue is devoted to exploring the ideas, people and issues that will be the foundation of the 21^st century.”

In the summer of 2007, Esquire and Hearst, Esquire’s parent company, contracted E Ink to develop a version of its electronic paper technology (which is used in devices like Amazon’s Kindle and other eBooks/eNewspapers) that could be used in a magazine. Throughout 2008, E Ink and Hearst’s manufacturing division have worked diligently to surmount the myriad manufacturing challenges the project presented. When the cover appears on newsstands in September, words and images will scroll across the flexible electronic paper display.

The team at Ford was made aware of the 75^th Anniversary Edition by Esquire last year, and there was an immediate link to the launch of the daring new Flex Crossover.

Verizon's 'Business Link Rewards' Program Launches Online Mall

Small and Medium-Sized Businesses Can Earn Unlimited Bonus Credits With the Verizon Business Links Rewards Online Mall; Shopping Destination Has More Than 350 Retailers Offering Discounts

Verizon's small- and medium-sized business customers participating in the Business Link Rewards program are now eligible for discounts and special promotions every time they shop at the Verizon Business Links Online Mall. Customers will also earn additional Business Link Rewards Bonus Credits for every dollar they spend at the Mall, and they can redeem the credits for a variety of rewards in the program.

The new Business Link Rewards Online Mall is powered by Mall Networks, a leading provider of merchant-funded loyalty shopping programs. Small- and medium-sized business customers who use the Online Mall can get discounts from more than 350 retailers, including Best Buy, Dell Computers, Office Depot, Expedia, eBay and Target.

"We continually look at new ways to add value for our business customers," said Michael McLaughlin, director of mass business marketing for Verizon. "The Business Link Rewards program has been highly appealing to our customers during the past 12 years, and we are constantly creating enhancements to keep it fresh and valued by our members. Adding the Business Links Rewards Online Mall gives our customers a significant way to accelerate their reward-earning opportunities through everyday shopping for their home or business. Plus, they receive savings and other offers from these major merchants."