RIP: Emblaze kills First Else
By Thomas Ricker 
posted June 30th 2010 4:41AM
posted June 30th 2010 4:41AM
So there's still hope that we'll see the First Else user experience applied elsewhere if Emblaze can find a buyer. See the full release after the break.Due to critical delays in deliveries and the current status of the project, the board has now decided to cease any further investment towards manufacturing of the First ELSE mobile device and to concentrate efforts only on licensing the ELSE Intuition platform and technology in order to realize its potential upside.
[Thanks, Yair M.]
Ra'anana, Israel, 30 June 2010 - Further to the management statement dated 18
June 2010, Emblaze is hereby providing the following updates:
ELSE Mobile
In October 2007, the Company announced that its subsidiary, ELSE Ltd. (formerly
Emblaze Mobile), partnered with ACCESS CO. LTD and Sharp Corporation, embarked
on an ambitious project targeted to introduce an innovative approach to mobile
experience.
In November 2009, ELSE first unveiled the First ELSE# mobile device, which was
designed to showcase the capabilities and advantages of ELSE Intuition#, its
new Linux based mobile platform.ELSE's products attracted excitement and
interest from potential partners, as well as the media and mobile analysts, for
its unique innovation and user experience.
ELSE' management have since invested considerable time and effort to secure a
partnership for the sale of the First ELSE mobile devices. While there was
encouraging interest in the device by potential partners, management was not
able to confirm a deal on terms acceptable to Emblaze to proceed to the
production of the device.
Due to critical delays in deliveries and the current status of the project, the
board has now decided to cease any further investment towards manufacturing of
the First ELSE mobile device and to concentrate efforts only on licensing the
ELSE Intuition platform and technology in order to realize its potential
upside.
This decision will drastically reduce the Company's operational and development
costs and will positively contribute to its route to profitability.
The Company's management believes that this decision aligns well with the
Group's overall core competency and skills in the software arena, which
includes the following:
Formula Systems
Formula Systems, through its subsidiaries, is engaged in the development,
production and marketing of information technology solution and services. Its
appealing offerings coupled with aggressive cost-saving measures have made
Formula resilient to the recession and enabled its constant growth in revenue
and net income. For the period ending 31 March 2010, Formula reported
significant improvement in profitability with net income attributable to
Formula of $4.8 million, an increase of 41% compared to $3.4 million in first
quarter of 2009.
Going forward, Formula will continue to focus on profitability as well as
accretive acquisitions.
Emoze Ltd.
Emoze Ltd. is providing transparent, synchronized mobile push-messaging
solutions that include email, PIM (contacts and calendar) and a push content
platform for consumers, mobile operators, manufacturers and enterprises. Emoze
eliminates the need for mobile devices to check or poll servers, allowing for
real-time messaging on a far wider range of mobile devices.
Emoze can actually transform most low-end mobile devices into BlackBerry -like
devices, providing the same push mail, PIM and content service. Thanks to its
novel and efficient technology, Emoze is able to provide the ideal low-cost
push solution for the mass market.
ZONE-IP
ZONE-IP Ltd. of which Emblaze holds 71%, is engaged, through its subsidiary
Emblaze VCON Ltd., in the development and deployment of high-performance,
end-to-end videoconferencing solutions over IP and ISDN networks for
enterprises of all sizes, focusing on desk top solutions.
The Company would like to use this opportunity to provide update on additional
ongoing matters as follows:
Patent infringement:
In December 2009 the Company informed the market that it has notified Apple2
Inc. that the HTTP Live Streaming Application announced by Apple and its use in
Apple's iPhone and iPod2 touch (and recently in the iPad) devices, infringes
Emblaze's patents for media streaming technology. In February 2010, the Company
also notified Microsoft Corporation that its Smooth Streaming system infringes
on Emblaze's patents for media streaming technology.
The Company is currently engaged in discussions with both Apple and Microsoft
with the aim to reach an amicable resolution by licensing said IP. The Company
will evaluate its course of action pending the results of such discussions and
will provide an update to the market when it is appropriate to do so.
HM Revenue Customs
As reported by the Company in April 2007, the Company's UK subsidiary, Emblaze
Mobility Solutions Limited, is involved in a dispute with the HM Revenue
Customs ("HMRC") regarding a decision made by the HMRC to withhold VAT
reclaims and raise an assessment relating to VAT return in the sum of
approximately £8.8 millions. The legal proceedings in this matter are still
ongoing and it is expected that the closing submissions will be scheduled for
July 2010. Further update will be provided following developments in this
matter.
Malam claim
On 7 March 2001, Malam Systems Ltd. filed a claim against Geo Interactive Media
Group Ltd. (now Emblaze Ltd.) and against its founding directors claiming for
approximately 29% of the Company's issued share capital. The Company's legal
advisors as well as its founding directors were (and still are) of the opinion
that there are no merits to the claim. Nevertheless, the Company's board of
directors decided to settle this claim by payment of US$1 million by the
Company as the legal costs alone were expected to reach such an amount. The
Company expects to recover part of its payment from its insurers.
If by "the hopes of many" you mean, the grand total of four employees, then yeah sure...
http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/
@Outsider
Always sad to see good competition go bye-bye :o(
@tonicboy
Always sad to see good competition go bye-bye :o(
I disagree. I've been looking forward to this handset because it offered "something different". I'm not saying it looked easier or harder to use than an Android or an iPhone, but for some people, the uniqueness is a factor. I hope some firm snags the software and uses it on their device. The interface was actually quite cool - something you'd normally see used in movies.
DID NOT WANT.
They should sell it like a Skin for Android, or try to sell to Google the U.I.
I like the U.I, designed for one hand.
Iron Man 2 movie made me remember about this U.I.
@blitzkrieg
You're absolutely right, of course. I've been waiting for a very long time to see someone try making an Else UI skin for Android.
I think this unique OS with its distinctive one-touch operation method is definitely something to look forward to.
Anyway, I was happy to see that Calcalist was exaggerating and that the company is not shutting down but only shifting focus from the attempt to sell a device to an attempt at licensing the OS, which was the real deal here.
@Kurian DO NOT CARE
@blitzkrieg
Dude I would have LOVED to see this handset come out.
The software just looks so fuckin cool and it's actually unique!
They're not copying off anyone else, they are bringing their own ideas to the table...I can't believe they could not get this product to market...unbelievable.
Damn, really sad to hear. I think it had potential but I guess in a world of iOS and Android, it just couldn't get support. Really sad... damn, I really liked the UI.
@Beatnik
I was totally thinking the same thing. And with the way Google is acquiring companies all the time, this could actually become a reality.
Of course, it's still a slim chance, but at least it's not naught
@blitzkrieg I agree. Also, I'm not sure if anyone was following but, the OS was supposed to be able to run Palm OS apps natively (which had not been advertised on the promotional website).
@Beatnik
I think they should sell the UI tech to Apple, so everyone would only use their phone with their right hand. That'll teach lefties and their Death Grip!
@trueluck3
Google buy that interface for android..
Well media player atleast
Where is Vader with a good "NOOOOOOO...!" when you need him?
It looked all future-y, and that's enough to get me interested.
@voltaek
http://www.nooooooooooooooo.com/
Sorry, replied to the wrong comment above.
NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO
@Lord Vader
Lord Vader, why didn't you Force Choke "Outsider" for impersonating you?
Are you becoming.... tolerant??
Guess we'll have to look else where...
Translation:
"We realized this will probably never compete with Android, iOS, and Symbian (which is also dying), so we decided to cut our losses"
@Clyzm Pretty much. Looked cool anyway.
@Clyzm
Symbian dying?? I don't see that coming.
@Clyzm
symbian isn't going anywhere
@huzzlehoff
Symbian is a low level parasite that will always exist.
There's Symbian, Android and iphone.
There's MeeGo that will be pushed by Nokia and Intel. Manufacturers like Nokia, Acer, Asus and many smaller manufacturers supporting it.
Then there's Samsung who got Bada that will compete with Symbian and is growing very fast currently as is Samsung getting closer to Nokia.
Then there is this Emblaze that got 4 workers and no big company backing them up. Big surprise i guess?
There's another company like this in Finland and we will see how that goes. Thought they are hardware manufacturer going for Android and MeeGo.
http://www.aavamobile.com/
@mrqs
Nokia put a brand new operating system on their flagship phone.
If that's not a sign of Symbian's death in the smart phone market, I don't know what is (and let's face it, no one cares about dumb phone operating systems, which is what Symbian's fallback is).
Instead of creating Maemo 5, Nokia should've really taken a step back and realized that they'd be in a much better position supporting Android, even if it was a heavily skinned version like HTC's Sense UI.
@Clyzm
Heh it's funny how many just read the first sentence and stop there.
N series is 6 or 20 million phones at it's best in a quarter. It's a niche, but profitable niche where Meego is heading.
Since 2009 Nokia already said that MeeGo(or Maemo back then) will be their high end OS. Now it just materializes.
Symbian will grow to much bigger than what it is now. It will take S40(that is not Symbian) place in the 100-400 euros phones. Phones that got S40 sell ~120 million phones in a 4 months.
About Symbian being dumbphone. In all honestly if you drop Symbian from smartphone category then it is NO WAY possible to call iphone a smartphone.
@Clyzm
I dont get your comment , you might as well ask for apple to start making android phones , Nokia owns two phone OS's , symbian which is the most popular and widely sold smartphone OS in the world.
And the other one Meego , has a big community and many parters backing it. Its also a real open source linux, unlike the crippled android. For Nokia to add a 3rd OS to their phones especially one that does not add anything new to what they already have would be pointless
@Pdexter
You missed the point about the dumbphone bit really. If Meego has a future in Nokia smartphones like the N900, then Symbian will most likely be dropped as their smartphone platform. There's no reason for a single company to be supporting two smartphone platforms at the same time.
They may be saying it's their 'high end' OS for now, but that's more because this is experimental more than anything. If it succeeds it'll surely take the place of Symbian on all the devices able to run it.
@Clyzm "There's no reason for a single company to be supporting two smartphone platforms at the same time."
htc - android & winmo
lg - android & winmo
samsung - android & bada & winmo & what do you know, symbian
the companies making smartphones disagree with you
just because nokia is pushing meego for the high-end, doesn't mean everything else is suddenly a dumbphone - symbian is still a smarter os than most (any?) of its competitors
@mrqs
I never stated that anything else is a dumbphone, I stated that if Meego takes over their smartphone division (and if it succeeds, it should), Symbian would get pushed back to strictly dumbphone devices.
As far as smartphone manufacturers, just because they're doing it doesn't mean it's completely logical. Supporting multiple platforms may have the benefit of ensured sales to at least one market, but at the same time you're breaking up your resources thus developing worse software (or updating at a slower pace), as opposed to supporting one platform full force. Ideally every company would use one strong smart phone OS, and if they manufacture dumbphones, an OS for those as well.
I suppose I should clarify that when I said Symbian is dying in my initial post, I meant most definitely in the smartphone market. Between Android, iOS, and the upcoming W7M, it's falling deeper and deeper into irrelevance in the current smartphone market. With only Nokia to back it, and not a particularly large app market, I don't see the reason to even look at Symbian as a competitor.
@Clyzm
"no one cares about dumb phone operating systems, which is what Symbian's fallback is"
You realize how dumb that sentence is?
@Clyzm
you think a company the size of samsung or lg suffers from "splitting resources"? they have more than enough resources to focus on multiple platforms and by doing so are making more money - it is completely logical, and that's why they're doing it
and wtf does "pushing symbian to dumbphones" mean?
offering symbian in a cheaper package doesn't make it any less of a smartphone, unless your definition of a smartphone is a large fart app market or a high price tag
of course symbian has been laying low lately, they're busy coming out with the new version(s)
@Clyzm
Kinda wrong on a few points.
As yes Meego should succeed, but Symbian cant just get pushed back to stricly dumbphone devices, as its not a dumphone OS , its a smartphone OS , its simply going to end up on cheaper smartphone , ones which cost less but still have bucket loads of freatures.
So symbian is falling deeper into irrelevance ? What are you backing this up on ? figures ?. Symbian sales last year where still better then others , and W7M is not even out yet.
I mean what if the Nokia N8 out sells the HTC evo when it launches, which could easly happen ,would that mean symbian is still irrelevant ?
You say only Nokia is the only company backing it , but that is also again wrong as Nokia , Sony Ericsson and DoCoMo make symbian phones.
@mrqs Other than samsung, everyone is support two OSes that they didn't write. MeeGo and Symbian are both written by nokia, so it would make more sense to just move the devs over to MeeGo
all i cared about was that Asain chick in the video,
makes no difference to me.
Doh!
I am so shocked.
google really should buy this. lots of great ideas that would advance android alot for 2.5 adn maybe some major ui help for 3.0
This sucks. The UI was pretty slick. Enough to give Apple's iOS a run for it's money.
I was actually looking forward to this phone because I want to believe that a company other than Apple can develop a slick OS with an awesome UI. WebOS achieved it but it's probably going nowhere now that HP bought Palm. If it's "licensed" I hope someone out there realizes the potential of this and puts it to good use.
My two cents.
@Exxodium
A grid of icons is a slick UI?
@insky the springboard isn't the only part of the iphone ui
For Real ? *sniff* i was really looking forward to see the Device soon ...
Well, enough being Sad... I would like seeing the OS at least on my N900 some time soone ^^
I Mean, especially because there ist this Unique way of steering, it could be perfect for resistive Touchscreens... plus it would look magnificient on the N900, don´t you think ? ^^
Sigh...,
The one truely one handed desiged phone os dies.
NOOOOOOOOOOOO!
*DELL buys Emblaze*
I wish...
I would be crying a river of tears if I even knew what the hell the thing is or why I should care.
\_/
Hate to sound like a dumbass, but can someone tell me exactly what this thing was, and why I would have wanted it? Cooler than the Courier?
That sucks. This phone looked very impressive too. Woulda have been a huge rerfresher in the current smartphone market.
The UI looks interesting, inspiring I might say. Not sure how complete it is and how well it would work, but at least they tried something original.
Maybe they should try to transform this from a complete OS to an Android skin, in the way that HTC has Sense. I'm sure there are lots of Android manufacturers that would love something like this to distinguish themselves from all the hundreds of run-of-the-mill Android phones on the market.