Former Microsoft Internet Architects Launch Avogadro; Ignition Corporation Funds Internet Platform Venture.Business/Hi-Tech Editors SEATTLE--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 16, 2000 Members of the elite team that spearheaded Microsoft's Internet turnaround and built technologies such as Internet Explorer Microsoft's Web browser, which comes with Windows starting with Windows 98. Commonly called "IE," versions for Mac and Unix are also available. Internet Explorer is the most widely used Web browser on the market. It has also been the browser engine in AOL's Internet access software. , today announced the launch of a new Internet See Web 2.0 and Internet2. venture, Avogadro. The company's vision is to build technology that connects the wired and wireless Internet, enabling businesses to provide a richer, more meaningful experience for customers across all Web devices, from the desktop to mobile phones. Avogadro's first round funding, totaling $7.5 million, was led by Ignition Corporation. Avogadro was Ignition's first investment, and the third to be officially announced. Steve Hooper, former CEO (1) (Chief Executive Officer) The highest individual in command of an organization. Typically the president of the company, the CEO reports to the Chairman of the Board. of AT&T Wireless and NEXTLINK Communications, has joined Avogadro's board. Other investors of the company include Rob Glaser Rob Glaser (born January 16, 1962), is the founder of RealNetworks (1994) which produced RealAudio, RealVideo, RealPlayer, Helix, among other products and services. Before RealNetworks, he became a millionaire by working for Microsoft for 10 years. , founder and CEO of RealNetworks, Arthur van Hoff, co-creator of Java and CTO (Chief Technical Officer) The executive responsible for the technical direction of an organization. See CIO and salary survey. of Marimba marimba: see xylophone. marimba Xylophone with resonators under each bar. The original African instrument uses tuned calabash resonators. In Mexico and Central America, where it was brought by African slaves, the wooden bars may be affixed to a , Max Metral, founder of Firefly and CTO of PeoplePC, Mike Slade, retired chairman and CEO of Starwave (Infoseek); and Neal Stephenson Neal Town Stephenson (born October 31, 1959) is an American writer, known primarily for his science fiction works in the postcyberpunk genre with a penchant for explorations of society, mathematics, currency, and the history of science. , noted author and futurist. "This is one of the finest teams I have ever worked with," said Brad Silverberg Brad Silverberg is an entrepreneur, most noted for his work at Microsoft in 1990–1999 as Senior VP and product manager for MS-DOS, Windows, Internet Explorer, and Office. He was named PC Magazine's Person of the Year[1] in 1995 for his leadership of Windows 95. , Ignition CEO. "I've seen them build amazing consumer products and Internet-scale services. They are an incredibly qualified, passionate group. I am proud to support what Avogadro is doing: enhancing the relevance and power of the Internet experience seamlessly across PCs and wireless devices." Avogadro has successfully attracted a world-class team that helped architect, build and ship the most successful business and consumer Internet technologies including Windows95, Internet Explorer, Netscape Proxy Server Also called a "proxy," it is a computer system or router that breaks the connection between sender and receiver. Functioning as a relay between client and server, proxy servers are used to help prevent an attacker from invading the private network. , Marimba Castanet The initial name given to Java-based content delivery software for the Internet and intranets from Marimba. Renamed Desktop/Mobile Management, the software provides application updates and other published content for client machines. and MSN Messenger Microsoft's instant messaging (IM) service, which provides text messaging and voice calling. Part of the MSN Network, MSN Messenger clients are available for non-XP versions of Windows, Mac, Pocket PC and MSN TV. For Windows XP, the IM client is Windows Messenger. . Its founders include Thomas Reardon, CEO, a former Microsoft executive and World Wide Web Consortium (W3C (World Wide Web Consortium, www.w3.org) An international industry consortium founded in 1994 by Tim Berners-Lee to develop standards for the Web. It is hosted in the U.S. by the Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) at MIT (www.csail.mit.edu/index.php). ) board member who launched Internet Explorer and played an instrumental role in defining Microsoft Internet strategies; John Cordell, who was one of the original developers of Internet Explorer and MSN Explorer; Sam McKelvie, who was responsible for the architecture of Windows95 networking and MSN Messenger and Robert Williams, who engineered Windows95 dial-up networking. Other key members of the team come from leading Internet companies such as Marimba, Netscape and Infoseek. Avogadro's initial product uses presence-based, real-time messaging that enables businesses to reach customers on both PCs and mobile Web devices in a way that optimizes context and delivers the pertinent set of information and functionality. One example involves communication to travelers. Avogadro will do more than deliver instant flight updates -- it will deliver the right mobile application to an end user when and where it is needed. For travel, following the purchase of a ticket from your desktop, it includes an invitation to check-in via your phone as you approach the airport, the ability to re-schedule a canceled flight while in a cab or being notified at your desktop that your flight is running late. Companies that will benefit most from Avogadro technology and services include wireless carriers who can increase functionality for mobile data devices, create community and become the center of their customers' Internet experience. Additionally, Avogadro technology will enable Fortune 500 companies and top Web sites to use the mobile Web to significantly impact the quality of customer interaction to build satisfaction and loyalty. "The wireless Internet has so much potential, but version 1.0 has significant limitations. Avogadro is building the technologies to fix it and help it explode," said Reardon. "We have a unique approach to this space, one where the desktop and mobile experiences feed each other, creating a whole new value for businesses and the customers they're trying to reach." About Avogadro Based in Seattle, Avogadro has a unique approach to connecting the wired and wireless Web. Its technology is designed to enable carriers and a range of businesses to conduct e-business more effectively. Avogadro is developing a software platform and technology that will enable businesses to create value by conducting rich, real-time, interactive customer communications. For more information, please visit www.avogadro.com. Avogadro and is a trademark of Avogadro Inc. All other trade names referenced are the service marks, trademarks or registered trademarks of their respective companies. |
|
||||||||||||||
Printer friendly
Cite/link
Email
Feedback
Reader Opinion