PALM DESERT, Calif., Jan. 29, 2008 -- The technology industry's elite DEMO conference kicked off this morning with a state-of-the-industry address given by Chris Shipley, emerging technology analyst and DEMO executive producer.

"Our demonstrating companies foretell the next generation of real-time, rich applications and use cases, dependent on keystone technologies and conceptual changes in every layer of the stack, from foundational protocols that deliver performance and reliability to design shifts that bring usability to new levels," said Shipley. "Over the last several months, we've talked to hundreds of companies and identified the 77 launching products here this week as the very best of the lot. And they are also representative of direction and change in the technology markets."

Now in its 18th year, the semi-annual DEMO conferences are launch pad events for the newest and best products in digital technology. This year's DEMO product debuts include everything from a portable, learn-to-read system for children to advanced online collaboration tools for distributed work teams.

Over the next two days, the DEMO 08 stage will host the launch of 77 new technologies, each hand selected and deemed to make an important contribution to the state of the art in its target market. Today's introductions included technologies designed for:

-- developing and distributing rich media content;

-- virtualization of the infrastructure for security and stability;

-- creating a healthier environment;

-- improving business and personal communications; and

-- increased productivity for mobile workers.

"DEMO's mission is simple, if not simple to enact: find great innovation wherever it occurs, identify market trends through the lens of the products coming to market, and expose the DEMO community to new ideas and opportunities," said Shipley. "Attendees at DEMO 08 are going to see the best new technologies and learn about the factors shaping the industry today. There is much to learn from the DEMO 08 demonstrators and detailed discussions to be had within DEMO's community of industry decision-makers."

Highlights from today's technology introductions include:

Valuable Products for Today's Prosumers

-- TimeTrade Systems, Inc.'s TimeDriver - eliminates the email back-and-forth required to schedule meetings.

-- LiquidPlanner, Inc.'s LiquidPlanner - project management software that uses ranged estimates and probabilistic scheduling for accuracy and provides team members with a collaborative project environment.

-- Citiport, Inc.'s Citiport - collects recommendations from locals and travelers about points of interests, restaurants, and things to do in major cities around the world.

-- 800 PBX, Inc.'s 800 Genie - first personalized telephony service bringing Web-based data to the phone.

Communication Capabilities for Personal and Business Applications

-- Toktumi, Inc.'s Tokumi - an office phone service designed for small businesses, giving them the professional telephone features that big companies enjoy.

-- Santrum Networks, Inc.'s BloCafe - a collaborative teleconferencing platform where teammates can co-work on files, send messages, host forums, and more.

-- Vidyo, Inc.'s VidyoConferencing - HD-quality video conferencing over general-purpose IP networks makes teleconferences available to any desktop computer.

Practical Products that are Simple to Use

-- LiquidTalk, Inc.'s LiquidTalk - turns podcasting into a simple communications channel between managers and mobile workers, making the distribution of podcasts as easy as sending an email.

-- Zodiac Interactive's Zodigo - helps smartphone users easily find and download interesting mobile content recommended by like-minded people.

-- Acesis, Inc.'s Acesis Point-of-Care software - digital clinical data capture in customizable forms that dynamically update, helping physicians focus on appropriate lines of inquiry.

Green Tech for a Healthier Environment

-- Green Plug, Inc.'s Green Plug Universal Power Protocol - allows for the charging of multiple DC-powered devices with differing power requirements from a single power supply.

-- Celsias, Ltd.'s Celsias Climate Change Projects - a portal to discover and support grassroots efforts to take local action against global warming. Virtualization Technologies for Secure, Stable, and Scalable IT Infrastructures

-- Citrix Systems, Inc.'s Citrix XenDesktop - easy to deploy and manage virtualization solutions makes virtual desktops perform faster than traditional PC desktops.

-- StackSafe, Inc.'s StackSafe Test Center - delivers a risk-free staging and testing environment that enables IT teams to understand the business impact of changes before they touch production systems.

DEMO Delves into Academic Research Centers

On Tuesday afternoon, DEMO looked at the innovations coming from leading university research centers. Moderated by Shipley and developed with the support of the Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, the panel featured:

-- Steven M. Barlow, PhD., Professor, SPLH, Programs in Neuroscience, Human Biology, and Bioengineering Director, Communication Neuroscience Laboratories, University of Kansas

-- Ronald S. Indeck, PhD., The Das Family Distinguished Professor of Electrical Engineering, School of Engineering and Applied Science, Washington University, St. Louis

-- Yannis Papakonstantinou, Professor, Computer Science and Engineering, School of Engineering, University of California, San Diego and Founder, app2you.com

"Technology transfer continues to present rich opportunity for entrepreneurs who can commercialize research," said Shipley, "and academic research centers are fertile ground for discovery of some of the next very big ideas. This panel is sure to spark hallway discussions about distant possibilities in tech."

DEMO Jams!

The DEMO program continues tonight with a reunion of great musicians in the shape of the DEMO All-Star Band. The conference continues throughout the day tomorrow with more product introductions and more engaging discussion around the trends in technology.

DEMO 08 Sponsors

Platinum sponsors of DEMO 08 are The Bogart Group, The Ewing Marion Kauffman Foundation, The Institute for Information Industry, Microsoft StartupZone, and Porter Novelli. iKordo, Myvu Corporation, NEXT.TV and Symantec are gold sponsors. The DEMO 08 exclusive business media partner is The Wall Street Journal and The Wall Street Journal Digital Network. Guidewire Group is a strategic partner of DEMO 08. Our media partners are American Venture Magazine, PR Newswire, Tech Confidential / The Deal, and Venture Capital Journal. The DEMO 08 PR Partner is Eye-To-Eye Communications. Marketing partners are BoogarLists, Conference Guru, Canada's Venture Capital & Private Equity Association (CVCA), Funding Universe, Investors' Circle, Keiretsu Forum, National Venture Capital Association (NVCA), the Rocky Mountain Venture Capital Association (RMVCA), Tech Coast Angels, and the Wireless Industry Partnership (WIP).

About the DEMO Conferences

Produced by Network World Events and Executive Forums, the DEMO conferences in the United States, China, and Europe focus on emerging technologies and new products, which are hand-selected from across the spectrum of the technology marketplace. The DEMO conferences have earned their reputation for consistently identifying tomorrow's cutting-edge technologies, and have served as launch pad events for companies such as Palm, E*Trade, Handspring, and U.S. Robotics, helping them to secure venture funding, establish critical business relationships, and influence early adopters. Each DEMO conference features approximately 70 new companies, products and technologies. For more information on the DEMO conferences, visit http://www.demo.com/.

The DEMO community also benefits from the award winning DEMOletter. A weekly e-newsletter designed to reach the people who are creating companies, building products and launching new ideas, DEMOletter provides smart insight and analysis of entrepreneurial business issues.

About Network World

Network World, Inc., the Leader in Network Knowledge, empowers network IT executives through education, information and community. Network World, an IDG company, is the leading provider of news, analysis, reviews, events and education on information technology. Network World publishes the leading newsweekly, Network World, hosts the most active online communities (http://www.networkworld.com, http://www.javaworld.com, http://www.linuxworld.com, and http://www.demo.com), and produces educational seminars and events worldwide. Network World's portfolio of strategic marketing programs provides marketing and agency professionals with the tools to generate high-quality leads, optimize marketing campaigns, and create new revenue opportunities. Additionally, Network World is the event organizer of DEMO and DEMOfall, the leading events for new technology innovation.

About International Data Group (IDG)

International Data Group (IDG) is the world's leading technology media, events, and research company. IDG's online network includes more than 450 Web sites spanning business technology, consumer technology, digital entertainment and video games worldwide. IDG publishes more than 300 magazines and newspapers in 85 countries including CIO, CSO, Computerworld, GamePro, InfoWorld, Macworld, Network World, and PC World. IDG's lead-generation service, IDG Connect, matches technology companies with an audience of engaged, high-quality IT professionals, influencers, and decision makers.

IDG is a leading producer of more than 750 technology-related events including Macworld Conference & Expo, LinuxWorld Conference & Expo, Entertainment for All Expo (E for All), DEMO, and IDC Directions. IDC, a subsidiary of IDG, is the premier global provider of market intelligence, advisory services, and events. Over 900 IDC analysts in more than 90 countries provide global, regional, and local expertise on technology and industry opportunities and trends.

Additional information about IDG, a privately held company, is available at http://www.idg.com/.

All product and company names are trademarks of their respective companies.