I just spoke with Jennifer Schreier and Patrick Gilbert at WavePhore.
I contacted Jennifer by e-mail asking her to respond to a post on Yahoo and Raging Bull from a gentleman claiming to be an ex-employee. While Jennifer stated it was company policy NOT to respond to posts on public message boards, she was happy to answer specific questions as they relate to WavePhore's technology, progress and business. Here is
a summary of salient points from our discussion:
- Patrick Gilbert, who is a Senior Vice President and head of Technology Development at WavePhore related the following:
- While WavePhore is not presently a member of the group setting the standards for digital TV broadcast, they are partners with virtually all those large companies participating. They ARE active members, however, of the "IP Multicast" group which is setting the standards for Data Broadcasting. This group is the one most critical to WavePhore's data broadcasting business.
- Although the discussion went over my head as to the technology involved in data broadcasting, it was clear from what Patrick was telling me that WavePhore's WaveTop (VBI) and TVT 1/4 technologies are "platform-independent" and would not be obsoleted by any change in broadcast protocols. Patrick was amused and exasperated by suggestions that technology would (or could) pass WavePhore by. It isn't going to happen. Over and over again he emphasized the point that their
technology is "platform-independent."
- I asked again about the speed of transmission of content. Independently of any poster's concerns, I wondered if the extreme high speed data stream WaveTop is eventually capable of -- 13 times present data rates -- would exceed the capacity of PC's to assimilate without overtaxing processor resources. Patrick then explained the evolution of VBI data broadcasting technology from simple zeros and ones (black and white) to multiple "shades of gray" acomplished via WaveTop software enhancements. The conclusion of this discussion was:
- One, there is no problem if they increase speed;
- Two, the present technology and speed is fine for what they are doing. While they are planning changes to WaveTop software, these are not so much concerned with speed as they are with many other enhancements which Patrick could not presently comment on....
- This upgrade to version 1.0 of WaveTop will be coming this year, in 1998. It will be downloaded to recipients of WaveTop broadcasts, but will ask for user authorization to self-install (as is "politically correct" these days).
- Patrick told me with some animation and enthusiasm that they are continuing to work with the developers of set-top boxes -- to watch the news for announcements. He once again emphasized the point that WaveTop technology is "platform independent" and can be "ported" to many systems.
- I told both Patrick and Jennifer that we had learned through the "back door" that they were receiving about 130 WaveTop registrants per day. They did not want to comment on this specifically, but both emphasized that they were VERY encouraged at the rate of registrations, that the pace was steadily increasing since Windows 98
release, and they expected the mid-August promotions with CompUSA would further accelerate the present pace. They are waiting until later in the year to make a public announcement about the number of WaveTop users -- I sense they are accumulating ammunition now to make a very positive public statement about the number of WaveTop users at that future time. However, again, whatever the numbers are, I could tell by the tone of voice and inflection that these two WavePhore
representatives were unabashedly positive and pleased with the pace of
registrations.
- Returning to the assertions by the ex-employee poster, Patrick Gilbert took the pains to point out that he is the WaveTop Project Manager and he has been in that position with the project since its inception. The alleged firing of a person at the forefront of technological development at WavePhore is simply untrue -- he is that
person. Any rumors as to firings by Ken Swenson are in error. And as Jennifer pointed out, while there may have been some people leave the company, it is not company policy to comment on why that happened....
- Patrick also made a statement to the effect that any aspersions cast toward Ken Swenson are inaccurate and invalid. I could sense by the impassioned tone of his response that he highly values Ken Swenson's contributions to WavePhore and obviously Ken's support of Patrick's technical development activities.
Miscellany:
- CompUSA is going to have a "Store Front" in future WaveTop editions and will be involved in e-commerce through WaveTop content and links. The stores will probably be training their own personnel to demo WaveTop in mid-August. Jennifer is unsure which brand of TV tuner will be offered for $49, but confirmed the price declines in TV tuners are happening across the board....
- The company's policy is to not put out "puff" PR. When they make an
announcement they want it to be substantive and relate to WavePhore's business. I get the sense that several announcements are pending, and that Jennifer would have loved to be able to clue me in, but obviously couldn't....
I surmise all by myself, however, that future announcements might include a new version of the software, alliances with the makers of set-top boxes (could be HUGE), a more formal announcement of the CompUSA WaveTop "Store Front" for e-commerce, and future additions of "unique and compelling WaveTop content." Jennifer emphasized that they are anxious to make WaveTop not just a link to "the best of the Web," but also a source of unique information. They are anxious to ensure members of the entire group of WaveTop registrants will continue to view their WaveTop capability and its "compelling content" as a treasured and trusted resource for information, entertainment and e-commerce.
The Bottom Line: Regardless of the vagaries of the stockmarket, its current crash and the ups and downs of WavePhore stock, these two articulate spokesmen for WavePhore out in Phoenix are continuing to enthusiastically report genuine substantive technological progress and acceptance of WavePhore's businesses. Stay tuned for future announcements! |
