Week Ending: Weekly Wireless Report January 12, 2018
03, 2017 This Week’s Stories
Inside This Issue: IBM Breaks Records To Top US Patent List For 25th Consecutive Year This Week’s Stories January 10, 2018 IBM Breaks Records To Top US
Patent List For 25th Consecutive IBM inventors received a record 9,043 patents in 2017, marking the company's 25th consecutive year Year of US patent leadership and crossing the 100,000-patent milestone. Cox Automotive Named As Super G Sponsor Of Silicon Slopes Tech The new patents were granted to a diverse group of more than 8,500 IBM researchers, engineers, Summit 2018 scientists and designers in 47 different US states and 47 countries.
FedEx Opens Shanghai Hub, "For the past 25 years, IBM's patent leadership has changed the way the world works with Lauds Asia-Pacific As "The advancements critical to the modern era of computing," said Ginni Rometty (pic, right), IBM Growth Driver Of The World" chairman, president and CEO.
Products & Services "Today, nearly half of our patents are pioneering advancements in AI, cloud computing, cyber- Dell’s XPS 15 2-in-1 Comes With security, blockchain and quantum computing – and all are aimed at helping our clients create smarter Intel’s New AMD-Powered businesses." Graphics As more and more enterprises conduct business on the cloud, IBM inventors received in 2017 more Twitter, Snapchat Tie Up With than 1,900 cloud patents, including a patent for a system that uses unstructured data about world or Fox To Provide Coverage Of FIFA local events to forecast cloud resource needs. World Cup The system can monitor data sources – including news feeds, network statistics, weather reports and Emerging Technology social networks – to identify where and how cloud resources should be allocated to meet demand. These Cute Robots Want To Replace Amazon Echo In Your Another set of innovations helps solve one of artificial intelligence's current limits: lack of Home personalisation, which can hinder how AI communicates with people.
The World's First Connected, Among the industry-leading 1,400 AI patents IBM inventors were granted in 2017 is a patent for a Reprogrammable Credit Card system that can help AI analyse and mirror a user's speech patterns to improve communication Premiered At CES 2018 between AI and humans.
Mergers & Acquisitions IBM inventors also received 1,200 cyber-security patents, including one for technology that enables Google Bought A UK Startup That AI systems to turn the table on hackers by baiting them into email exchanges and websites that Turns Screens Into Speakers expend their resources and frustrate their attacks. It could substantially reduce the security risks associated with "phishing" emails and other attacks. Alibaba A.I. Labs, MediaTek
Collaborate On IoT Initiatives IBM inventors also patented significant inventions in emerging areas like quantum computing,
including a new way for improving a quantum computer's ability to acquire and retain information – Industry Reports otherwise known as signal readout fidelity. This can lead to efficiency in the components necessary to IBM Signs US$85 Million Private build a quantum computing system. Cloud Managed Services Agreement With Emirates Airline Other patented innovations from IBM inventors in 2017 include:
Comcast Ventures Is Betting On A machine learning system designed to shift control between an autonomous vehicle and a human driver as needed, such as in an emergency. Blockchain Technologies In 2018
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 2
A method that leverages blockchain technology to reduce the number of steps involved in settling transactions between multiple business parties, even those that are not trusted and might otherwise require a third-party clearinghouse to execute. A technique that automatically elevates the security protection of a mobile device when it determines that device is located far from its owner and is likely under someone else's control.
This year's milestone builds on more than 105,000 U.S. patents granted to IBM from 1993 to 2017. IBM inventors have received patents for such transformative ideas as secure credit card transactions, guiding the visually-impaired using RFID, the world's fastest supercomputers and earthquake detectors.
digitalnewsasia.com
Cox Automotive Named As Super G Sponsor Of Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2018 January 08, 2018
Cox Automotive has been named as a Super G sponsor of Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2018.
Born from an idea to connect pillars of our industry into one, unified game changer, Cox Automotive is uniquely positioned to lead the way in transforming the way the world buys, sells and owns cars.
With over 32,000 team members representing 27+ brands globally, they are connecting what’s needed with what’s next to empower clients to thrive in a rapidly changing automotive marketplace.
Silicon Slopes Tech Summit is the biggest and most prominent annual tech event in the state of Utah. Bringing in 10,000 attendees and coinciding with the Sundance Film Festival, Silicon Slopes Tech Summit 2018 features prominent keynotes, premium breakout sessions inside of five different tracks, an amazing concert by Neon Trees, and exclusive VIP networking and parties. The amount of talent and experience that’s on display makes this a unique event that could only happen in Silicon Slopes.
For more information on the speaker lineup, sponsors, or to purchase tickets, please visit the website.
siliconeslopes.com
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 3
FedEx Opens Shanghai Hub, Lauds Asia-Pacific As "The Growth Driver Of The World" January 08, 2018
FedEx Express, the world’s largest express transportation company, officially opened its new FedEx “The site can process up to Shanghai International Express and Cargo Hub at Shanghai Pudong International Airport today, looking to tap into trade and economic growth in the Asia-Pacific area. 36,000 packages and documents per hour and is the “The Asia Pacific region remains the growth driver of the world,” said David L. Cunningham, Jr., largest of its kind at Shanghai president and CEO of FedEx Express in a statement. Pudong International Airport.” FedEx currently has 66 weekly flights in and out of the hub. According to a 2012 Fedex press release, the facility cost more than $100 million. The site can process up to 36,000 packages and documents per hour and is the largest of its kind at Shanghai Pudong International Airport. The hub boasts a new cold chain center that will support the healthcare industry, one of the fastest growing sectors in the Asia-Pacific region and an industry in which China is expected to play an increasingly important global role.
The facility also reinforces Shanghai’s position as one of the world’s leading i nternational shipping centers. The city has ranked among the top three globally for 10 consecutive years.
Shanghai was ranked as China’s best city for business in the latest issue of Forbes China.
forbes.com
Products & Services Dell’s XPS 15 2-in-1 Comes With Intel’s New AMD-Powered Graphics January 10, 2018
Just a few days after announcing a redesigned XPS 13, Dell is now announcing a new take on its 15 “While it’s not the first of its inch model at CES 2018. Say hello to the XPS 15 2-in-1. kind, it’s definitely one of the most powerful.” Yup, it’s a 15-inch laptop with a 360-degree hinge. While it’s not the first of its kind, it’s definitely one of the most powerful. The laptop uses Intel’s new Kaby Lake G chips, which are the result of a surprising partnership with AMD announced back in November. In short, the chipset pairs Intel’s 8th gen, 4-core processor with a Radeon Vega M GL.
Although Dell didn’t provide exact performance metrics, a representative told me the company is expecting performance to surpass the Nvidia 1050 currently in the non-convertible XPS 15. Notably, it does this while being thinner and lighter than the standard model; you can thank the combination chipset for that.
The laptop comes with two touchscreen options; a 4K panel with 100 percent Adobe RGB coverage or a 1080 panel with 100 percent sRGB. Battery life is rated at up to 15 hours, presumably with the lower resolution display.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 4
Like the new XPS 13, the 15-inch model is going all in on USB-C and Thunderbolt 3, with your only other ports being a headphone jack and micro SD card slot. Those Thunderbolt 3 ports have a full four PCI-E lanes, by the way, so you can use Thunderbolt 3’s full bandwidth.
One more thing though: the XPS 15 uses a maglev keyboard. It’s just what it sounds like; instead of a traditional scissor or butterfly switch, the keys are literally pushed back by magnets. The idea is to provide a clickier, more responsive typing experience with the new thin design.
In a very brief test, it felt a lot like the butterfly switches on Apple’s new MacBooks, but perhaps with a bit more travel. It’s certainly clickier than the previous XPS 15’s keyboard, and in my opinion an overall improvement.
Of course, not everyone needs a 15-inch convertible, but a flipping hinge can come in handy when watching movies to move the screen closer to your eyes or eliminate the distraction of the keyboard. The screen is also compatible with Dell’s new Active Pen, which now supports tilt and 4096 pressure levels.
Dell isn’t providing an exact release date for the XPS 15 2-in-1, but it should launch sometime in the spring of this year.
thenextweb.com
Twitter, Snapchat Tie Up With Fox To Provide Coverage Of FIFA World Cup January 09, 2018
Twenty First Century Fox Inc’s Fox Sports is partnering with Twitter Inc to stream a live show and Snap Inc’s Snapchat to showcase stories with matchday highlights on the FIFA World Cup soccer tournament to be hosted in Russia later this year.
Fox Sports would produce the show, which will be streamed from Moscow's Red Square on each match day and provide previews, recaps and near real-time video highlights for each game, the company said.
Fox said the coverage of the tournament, taking place from June 14 to July 15, will be available in the United States and can be seen using the @FOXSports and @FOXSoccer Twitter handles.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 5
Fox Sports will also produce magazine-like editions of content for Snapchat’s mobile-first audience, called Publisher Stories.
The Publisher Story on Snapchat will record the day-by-day highlights of the month-long tournament through recaps, previews and features produced specifically for Snap.
Snapchat will also produce FIFA World Cup “Our Stories,” featuring video highlights of goals and other key moments provided by Fox Sports.
Live-streaming has been one of Twitter’s biggest focus areas since last year as it seeks to attract new users.
The company had previously signed a multi-year deal with the U.S. National Football League to live- stream pre-game coverage as well as a 30-minute show.
Snapchat has also done something similar by previously partnering with Discovery Communications Inc’s Eurosport for a European, multi-language deal that will see Winter Olympics content held this year as part of Snapchat’s ‘stories’ feature.
reuters.com
Emerging Technology These Cute Robots Want To Replace Amazon Echo In Your Home January 11, 2018
When LG, one of the world's largest corporations, brings a home robot to CES and places it smack dab “For now, think Alexa or Google in the middle of its mammoth booth here, you know something is up. Home with an iPad of sorts So what if the debut of the South Korean giant's CLOi fell flat at a press conference? Early technology pasted on top of technology can be spotty, especially here where on-stage demos often can go south. Perhaps LG is early—very that brings in virtual eyes, a early, in wanting to bring robots to your homes alongside TVs, appliances and mobile phones. mouth and a winning personality, and sometimes But LG isn't alone. At CES, we saw a growing cast of robot characters ready to invade your living wheels underneath to roll room, with names like Buddy, Jibo, Kuri, Aibo, Qoobo and more. around the room.” For now, think Alexa or Google Home with an iPad of sorts pasted on top of technology that brings in virtual eyes, a mouth and a winning personality, and sometimes wheels underneath to roll around the room.
The robots don't all look the same, of course, but the similar characteristics are found on many tech devices: white frame and a black trim. (In CLOi's case, it's more like an oval white ice chest, topped off with a round iPad of sorts.)
Let's take a look at the five coolest robots we've seen at CES 2018.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 6
LG, the South Korean giant that is traditionally the first booth anyone at CES enters, had arguably the biggest crowds here so far with a show that began with a eye-popping wall display of 243 4K Oled TV sets tied together. Once you walk through wall-size images of arctic ice, Zion National Park and redwoods, you got dazzled by robotics. LG showcased two commercial robots already on sale in South Korea, to help mow your lawn or route people around airports, and then introduced us to CLOi, which it described as a "concept." (And was working just fine in the booth, by the way.)
LG touts how its smart appliances work with both Amazon's Alexa and the Google Assistant to voice- command things like pre-heating the oven or changing the volume on the TV. You can ask CLOi to do those things for you as well, LG says. It can recognize each individual family member in the home, "and is a little more friendly to interact with," said LG's Randy Overton, who was doing the robot tours at the LG booth.
LG said CLOi could start being sold in 2018, but no dates or pricing was announced.
Clearly, robots are already popular in Asia, where the Pepper "humanoid" robot interacts with customers in 140 stores of the Soft Mobile wireless company and a hotel near Tokyo is run by humans and robots. I wouldn't run out and buy CLOi—all I see is a smile and a face added to Alexa, for now. But I give LG props for giving it a try. And it is cuter and more functional than many of the others seen at CES.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 7
Sony knocked this one out of the park, with a family dog robot-reboot that seemingly does everything a human pooch might do except poop. The new robot is an update to an earlier edition that first came out in 1999, and way cuter and more lifelike.
Aibo had huge crowds at the Sony booth oohing and aahing at how it responds to human interaction. But check the fine print. Aibo will only be on sale in Japan, for the time being, and the price tag could top $1,700 along with a monthly service fee for usage. That's a lot to spend for what Creative Strategies analyst Tim Bajarin calls a "virtual toy." (Plus, if you really want a family dog, there are plenty shelters worth visiting, right folks?)
Unlike the top two, Jibo is here and now, and for sale at $899. The "social robot for the home" uses facial recognition to remember everyone in the family, can answer questions, help with needs, do a little dance, and has a round touch screen face as well. Aside from that, Jibo does the basic Alexa thing—setting alarms, reminding you about airline schedules and telling you the weather. On sale since October, Jibo is cute and fun, but at $800 more than a basic Google Home or Amazon Echo, that's a lot of money to spend on family entertainment.
Billed as a "companion" robot, this big-eyed tech device from France looks more like an iPad attached atop a computer frame than any of the other ones we've seen. Tasks include "security, recipes, music and video playback, calendar and wakeup reminders." Pretty much the same as Ji bo, but we love those big eyes and smiling faces of the buddy.
Buddy is expected to sell for $1,500 and will be available in September.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 8
This robot is aimed at kids, to help them learn to read and to read aloud children's stories to them. Arguably the cutest one we saw at CES, it comes from Chinese company Ling Technology that says it will have the product available by mid-year, at an affordable price of $150. Some could argue that mom and dad should be in the room reading to their kids, but if this toy robot helps along the process of learning, we're all for it.
Now a quick reality check. Analyst Patrick Moorhead of Moor Insights says commercial acceptance in the United States of consumer robots is far in the future: 2020 for stationary robots like CLIo, and 2023 for robots with wheels.
He sees two potential markets — lonely seniors who buy the robot to keep them company, and young kids who find them to be cool. “The Asian markets are more open to having a relationship with a robot now,” he says. “For us, we’re taking a wait and see attitude right now. The robot is going to have to do more than just be like Alexa. When that happens, consumers will be ready for robots.”
usatoday.com
The World's First Connected, Reprogrammable Credit Card Premiered At CES 2018 January 11, 2018
Dynamics Inc. and Sprint announced at CES 2018 a reprogrammable payment card that can be used “The cellphone antenna in the for a bunch of different accounts: debit, credit, loyalty, and any other transaction that uses a card let's it communicate magnetic strip. directly with the bank.” But this card has an extra innovation: It's one of the first cards with a cellphone chip inside, and it's coming to U.S. banks.
The idea of a reprogrammable credit card isn't all that spectacular or new. The company Plastc famously disintegrated after raising $9 million through a popular crowdfunding campaign. But this card could be different because its creator, Dynamics Inc., is already working with banks around the world using similar technology.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 9
It's called Wallet Card technically, but when it's finally released to consumers, it will most likely be called whatever the bank, or issuer, decides.
The cellphone antenna in the card let's it communicate directly with the bank. This can come in handy for things like getting a card replaced, sending special offers directly to the card, downloading a new card's security information, or locking an account in the case of an emergency.
The prototype was extremely easy to use. It has a small e-ink readout on the front and two clickable buttons. You scroll through your different options by clicking the buttons. The one we used was storing four different cards.
Another interesting feature: Wallet Card never runs out of battery because of a small, organic chip that recharges itself. It still fits in a normal wallet even though it has a minuscule battery bump.
So how in the world is this going to compete against newer technology like Apple Pay and Venmo? A company spokesperson explained it has a slight edge in at least some situations, specifically ATMs, where magnetic strip cards are required.
mashable.com
Mergers and Acquisitions Google Bought A UK Startup That Turns Screens Into Speakers January 11, 2018
Over the past year, Google has demonstrated its desire to step up its hardware game. The company bought HTC's Pixel team for $1.1 billion, designed its own imaging chip for the Pixel 2 and also hired a key Apple chip designer. Bloomberg reports that in its bid to gain an edge on the competition, Google has quietly snapped up UK startup Redux, a small team focused on delivering sound and touch feedback via mobile displays.
According to filings, Google took control of the startup back in August and then subsequently shut down the company's website. Previous demonstrations show Redux playing back music via a tablet device, which possesses tiny actuators that vibrate the screen and effectively turn it into a loudspeaker. By eliminating the need for smartphone speakers, Google may be able free up more space for batteries and other important components inside future smartphones.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 10
Although Redux has already integrated similar technology inside PCs and automotive infotainment systems, it has recently focused on bringing the same technology to mobile devices. In April 2017, the company told Engadget in a statement that it believed it would begin appearing in smartphones from 2018. Google's decision to buy the company may accelerate that rollout, meaning we could see Redux's haptic sound technology come to a Google device later this year.
engadget.com
Alibaba A.I. Labs, MediaTek Collaborate On IoT Initiatives January 10, 2018
Alibaba A.I. Labs, which leads the development of Alibaba's consumer artificial intelligent (AI) “The solution, which is based products, and MediaTek, a global fabless semiconductor company, today announced a strategic on the Labs' self-developed IoT collaboration in Internet of Things (IoT) initiatives including smart home protocols, customized IoT chips and AI smart hardware, with the aim of fostering the development of a connected world in the protocol named IoTConnect IoT era. and the Bluetooth chip co- developed by both parties, The two parties also announced the first Smartmesh connectivity solution in China that supports the enables smart home devices to latest many-to-many Bluetooth mesh technology, in an effort to speed up the adoption of this automatically pair with Tmall technology in smart home settings. Genie, the Lab's first voice- controlled smart assistant, The solution, which is based on the Labs' self-developed IoT protocol named IoTConnect and the Bluetooth chip co-developed by both parties, enables smart home devices to automatically pair with leading up to a Tmall Genie- Tmall Genie, the Lab's first voice-controlled smart assistant, leading up to a Tmall Genie-controlled controlled smart home smart home ecosystem. ecosystem.” Miffy Chan, Head of Alibaba A.I. Labs, commented: "We are excited about partnering with MediaTek to explore collaboration in the IoT ecosystem. Our AI and cloud computing capabilities, along with MediaTek's cutting-edge technology in chip design, provide unique advantages to our connectivity solutions for smart homes, offering real benefits to consumers in China and paving the way to a more connected world through innovation."
Jerry Yu, Corporate Vice President and General Manager of the Home Entertainment Business Group, MediaTek said: "MediaTek is thrilled to partner with Alibaba A.I. Labs in building up a voice-controlled smart home ecosystem. This follows our collaboration in delivering the great success of Tmall Genie X1."
"The smart home market is undergoing tremendous growth as technologies advance. With MediaTek's strength in connectivity and baseband, computing and multimedia, coupled with Alibaba's leading advantages in cloud computing and AI, we are confident that the collaboration will mark a milestone in the development of the IoT era," Yu added.
The partnership comes on the heels of the successful collaboration on Tmall Genie, for which MediaTech provides chip technology support. Alibaba A.I. Labs launched the smart home assistant in July last year, with an aim to provide brand new interaction experiences for Chinese consumers. Over one million Tmall Genie devices were sold in China during Alibaba's Global Shopping Festival on November 11 last year.
IoTConnect is an open connectivity protocol based on Bluetooth mesh standard for smart hardware and smart home appliance manufacturers. Smart devices using the protocol can be automatically paired with Tmall Genie. The protocol aims to promote unified connectivity standards among smart
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 11
devices, and hence lower the cost in developing connected devices and foster the development of voice-controlled smart home ecosystem.
The Smartmesh solution supports the latest Bluetooth mesh networking and Bluetooth 5 functionality set up by the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), the body that oversees the development of Bluetooth standards. Customized Bluetooth SoCs (system-on-chip) - MT7581 and MT7583 - for the solution are featured with Bluetooth smart mesh technology, automatic pairing, fast connection and low-power consumption. The two SoCs will be ready for the market in the second half of this year.
espnews.com
Industry Reports IBM Signs US$85 Million Private Cloud Managed Services Agreement With Emirates Airline January 11, 2018
The agreement will cover mission-critical global operations for the airline over a period of ten years. “IBM will also manage Emirates’ backup environment, IBM announced that it has signed a ten-year, approximately US$85 million managed services and will be implementing a agreement with Emirates airline. The agreement will allow IBM to handle day-to-day management of private cloud solution at the the airline’s IT infrastructure, allowing Emirates to benefit from improved business application performance. airline’s two data centers in Dubai, UAE.” IBM will also manage Emirates’ backup environment, and will be implementing a private cloud solution at the airline’s two data centers in Dubai, UAE. The company will also provide data center networking services to enable remote access for Emirates’ core IT environment and business-critical applications.
“Under the new agreement, Emirates will benefit from a resilient, scalable and agile service, as well as operational savings,” said Amr Refaat, General Manager, IBM Middle East and Pakistan. “With its expanding global footprint, it is imperative that Emirates’ IT operations are streamlined and accessible to its employees anywhere and anytime, and this is where our expertise comes into play to achieve this.”
Neetan Chopra, Emirates Senior Vice President, IT Strategic Services said: “A key component of Emirates’ IT strategy is to transform our data infrastructure to a cloud architecture, and drive both agility and efficiency benefits. IBM has been our long standing partner and we are happy to work with them to achieve this goal.”
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 12
An Ongoing Plan
The agreement builds off of the ten-year and approximately US$300 million agreement Emirates signed with IBM in 2016 to provide IT Infrastructure delivered as a service, allowing the airline to improve the efficiency of its passenger support systems and functions. In the same year, Emirates also collaborated with IBM to enhance its Passenger Service System (PSS) to facilitate the re-design of its business processes and to streamline airport operations.
Emirates’ global footprint spans more than 155 cities, in 84 countries across six continents.
techradar.com
Comcast Ventures Is Betting On Blockchain Technologies In 2018 January 11, 2018
“In 2018 we’re doubling down on blockchain,” says Gil Beyda, managing director of Comcast “Earlier this month, the Ventures, the investment arm of one of the world’s largest media and telecom companies. company announced a For the venture capital arm of Comcast, an investment in blockchain isn’t opportunistic, Beyda insists. “Just to be clear, if bitcoin were at $15 instead of $15,000 we would still be committing to this,” he commitment to MState Growth said. Lab, an accelerator program focused on enterprise Comcast Ventures has been looking at blockchain technology for months, driven by Comcast and blockchain startups that’s also NBCUniversal’s long-standing interest in applications across several of the company’s business units. being funded by IBM and In fact, internal experiments are already underway around advanced advertising alongside Disney and Galvanize, an accelerator, Cox Communications that will be used to match data sets without sharing consumer data. Other investment fund and experiments are underway looking at applications around royalty tracking and energy, Beyda says. bootcamp.” “A lot of folks are trying to figure out how do you apply this consensus-driven immutable decentralized infrastructure and decentralized distributed applications,” Beyda says. “We have real- world applications inside Comcast where folks are trying to solve real-world problems with blockchain.”
Earlier this month, the company announced a commitment to MState Growth Lab, an accelerator program focused on enterprise blockchain startups that’s also being funded by IBM and Galvanize, an accelerator, investment fund and bootcamp.
“In 2018, we will see a growing number of enterprise blockchain use cases go mainstream from healthcare applications to government, supply chain and retail to the real estate and transportation industries. But for most of these use cases to succeed, blockchain startups need to be able to engage well with enterprise customers. Our growth lab is going to help make that happen,” said MState co- founder and CEO Rob Bailey.
Bailey is chief executive of MState program, which will be managed with assistance from the partners at Boldstart Ventures.
The $250,000 commitment that Comcast Ventures made to MState is only one in a series of experiments that the fund is trying as it wraps its head around the potential of blockchain for its businesses and as a startup investment opportunity.
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com Pag e | 13
The firm also has committed a few million dollars to a blockchain-focused fund as a fund-of-fund investment. And one of the firm’s portfolio companies, YouNow, is following the “when in doubt, ICO,” route.
Beyda says that Comcast Ventures is even discussing whether it will hold tokens or cryptocurrencies itself.
“As part of our move into blockchain technologies, we understand it’s going to disrupt many different types of businesses and it may even disrupt traditional venture businesses, and we want to get in there and understand that,” Beyda says.
Comcast Ventures invests across different classes, committing anywhere from $500,000 to $20 million in the companies it backs… and with its corporate parent, it can accelerate technologies and add scale to some of the blockchain applications that are currently in development, Beyda says.
Specifically for Comcast, blockchain technologies around royalty tracking, identity and digital rights management all sound appealing.
Other entertainment companies have already seen the value in blockchain startups. Last May, Spotify acquired the blockchain technology developer MediaChain to solve its music attribution problem.
The value of these applications are completely independent of the price of various cryptocurrencies, says Beyda.
“Irrespective of what’s happening in cryptocurrency we think that this technology — like database technology and internet technology were transformational — this technology will also have a high area of growth and adoption,” Beyda says.
While the company intends to make blockchain a priority, it’s not going to be overly aggressive in its experiments with the technology.
“We’re going to take a staged approach,” says Beyda. “We’re going to first try to make equity investment in these technologies and evaluate what our token position would be moving forward. We’re just trying to understand what are the implications in regard to governance and other issues.”
techcrunch.com
120 Madison Street, 15th Floor Syracuse, New York 13202 www.ksrinc.com (315) 470-1350 1-888-8KSRINC
Return to top Connect with us Visit our website www.ksrinc.com