Prodigy Launches Breakthrough Instant Messaging; Websites Become Real-Time IM Communities.Business Editors WHITE PLAINS, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--May 9, 2000 Instant messaging Exchanging text messages in real time between two or more people logged into a particular instant messaging (IM) service. Instant messaging is more interactive than e-mail because messages are sent immediately, whereas e-mail messages can be queued up in a mail server for seconds or (IM) just got even cooler. Today Prodigy Communications Corporation (NASDAQ NASDAQ in full National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations U.S. market for over-the-counter securities. Established in 1971 by the National Association of Securities Dealers (NASD), NASDAQ is an automated quotation system that reports on : PRGY), in cooperation with Odigo Inc., launched an all new Prodigy Instant Messaging(TM) (PIM (1) (Protocol Independent Multicast) A multicast routing protocol endorsed by the IETF. Used in conjunction with an existing unicast routing protocol, it comes in two flavors: Dense Mode (PIM-DM) is used when recipients in the target group are in a concentrated )(TM) available to Prodigy(R) members and non-members alike. With the swooshing sound of its radar-like search for other users, this powerful new interface based on the IM software developed by Odigo, Inc., gives users the ability to see and meet new people using IM and the ability to create instant, real-time "IM communities" on actual websites they're surfing. This powerful tool combines core real-time instant messaging with state-of-the-art point-of-presence technology. For example, PIM users can IM any other PIM user at an electronic retailer's website to discuss the pros-and-cons of video cameras or they can discuss the hottest stock picks while the ticker-tape rolls on a stock market news website. PIM is unlike traditional Instant Messaging in that it allows users to meet and greet anyone, anywhere, on any website using IM--not just their buddies or people they know. PIM users can protect their privacy by selecting whom they want to meet. PIM also allows users to identify, demographically, with whom they wish to communicate, regardless of the ISP (1) See in-system programmable. (2) (Internet Service Provider) An organization that provides access to the Internet. Connection to the user is provided via dial-up, ISDN, cable, DSL and T1/T3 lines. they use. "Instant messaging has become one of the most important tools for users communicating via the Internet. Now, IM users have a way to meet new people or find people with mutual interests," said Bill Kirkner, Prodigy's Chief Technology Officer. "PIM technology is the epitome of the robust user experience that made Prodigy a world-class Internet pioneer--and it is exactly this focus on technology and the user experience that drives Prodigy now and for the future." By simply downloading the free software at http://pim.prodigy.net, anyone can "scope-out" new human connections via the software's "radar-like" searching features. PIM revolutionizes the look and feel of traditional text-based IM, by providing an easy, in-depth application with colorful graphic representations of on-site users, all depicted in the PIM radar screen area. Users can create multiple personal profiles that are accessible to other users to identify them, and can even predefine the types of people they wish to instant message, selecting by age, gender, location, interests, or even zodiac zodiac (zō`dēăk) [Gr. zoion=animal], in astronomy, zone of the sky that includes about 8° on either side of the ecliptic. The apparent paths of the sun, the moon, and the major planets all fall within this zone. sign. "As a leading ISP, Prodigy's partnership with Odigo, and its new PIM product, reflects its dedication to providing a compelling user experience through the latest technologies," said Avner Ronen, Odigo's Vice President of Strategic Development. "In addition, this partnership not only expands Odigo's reach to Prodigy's growing subscriber base, but furthers our goal of making the Internet more intimate." Odigo, which means "guide," in ancient Greek Noun 1. Ancient Greek - the Greek language prior to the Roman Empire Greek, Hellenic, Hellenic language - the Hellenic branch of the Indo-European family of languages , fuses a new and different search technique based on users' real-time interests with a variety of popular communications Popular Communications is a magazine with content relating to the radio hobby, including scanners, shortwave radio, CB, and amateur radio. The magazine includes articles, schedules of shortwave stations, and logs of pirate radio communications sent in by readers. utilities. Leveraging technology synergies between the two companies, Prodigy and Odigo developed the PIM product to provide users new types of IM functionality and communications capabilities.
PIM features include:
-- Personalization
PIM offers users the ability to create profiles for the people
they would like to meet online - anywhere in the world - and then
find their ideal matches, instantly.
-- Popularity
PIM users can quickly see what sites are most popular "hang outs"
for other PIM users by clicking on the popularity meter.
-- Anonymity
With PIM, you can be as anonymous or as visible as you want. You
decide who can see and talk to you.
-- Voice Chat
Using voice-over IP technology, users can now voice chat with any
other PIM user anywhere in the world.
In February, Prodigy announced it had made a $2 million investment or approximately 5% ownership in Odigo, Inc. (formerly NovaWiz, Inc.), a New York New York, state, United States New York, Middle Atlantic state of the United States. It is bordered by Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and the Atlantic Ocean (E), New Jersey and Pennsylvania (S), Lakes Erie and Ontario and the Canadian province of City-based company with R&D facilities in Israel, which developed Odigo. About Odigo, Inc. Odigo is a U.S.-based company with R & D facilities in Israel. The company is dedicated to enriching the Internet experiences of all surfers. Odigo is a portable tool that fuses the latest generation of instant communication capabilities with a new and unique search technique based on users' real-time interests. Odigo is breaking the rules of instant messaging. Offering multiple communication and navigation features, including interoperable real-time messaging, buddy lists, voice messaging Using voice mail as an alternative to electronic mail, in which voice messages are intentionally recorded, not because the recipient was not available. , chat on page, and website note posting, the Odigo Messenger Odigo Messenger was an instant messaging service. For a short time in 2004 Odigo Messenger allowed users to use the service to talk to users in other IM networks, but the feature was discontinued at the beginning of 2005, presumably for legal reasons. brings a world of interesting people from all over the Internet right to the user's desktop. About Prodigy Communications Corporation: Prodigy Communications Corporation is a leading Internet service provider Internet service provider (ISP) Company that provides Internet connections and services to individuals and organizations. For a monthly fee, ISPs provide computer users with a connection to their site (see data transmission), as well as a log-in name and password. delivering fast and reliable Internet access See how to access the Internet. and user-friendly Internet-based products, services and information resources (1) The data and information assets of an organization, department or unit. See data administration. (2) Another name for the Information Systems (IS) or Information Technology (IT) department. See IT. . Prodigy utilizes a nationwide network covering more than 850 cities in all 50 states allowing 90% of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. population to access Prodigy's Internet services with a local telephone call. Prodigy tailors its services and technology to three fast-growing Internet markets: consumers, small business owners and the U.S. Hispanic population. Prodigy Biz Corporation, Prodigy's small business Web hosting Making a Web site available on the Internet. Many ISPs host a few personal Web pages for an individual at no additional cost above the monthly service fee, but the address is subordinate to the ISP; for example, www.friendlyisp.com/pat_smith. division, offers a powerful suite of specially-designed Internet products and services for small businesses. Prodigy(R) en espanol, the first-ever, fully-bilingual Spanish/English-language Internet service created especially for the nation's Spanish speaking population. This press release contains forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Among the important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements are the expected benefits from the agreement with Odigo, Inc. or its early termination, intense competition in the Company's industry, subscriber turnover, disruption in the Company's network services or in other services provided by third parties, as well as the risk factors detailed from time to time in the Company's periodic reports and registration statements filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. |
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