Viber Releases New Design for iPhone and Comes to BlackBerry 10 for the First Time

Popular Messaging And Voice App Viber Unveils Version 4.2 For iPhone With A Redesigned Look, Many New Feature Updates, And Long Awaited BlackBerry 10 App

LONDON. - Wednesday, April 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Viber, (www.viber.com) the leading mobile communications platform offering free messaging and HD-quality phone calls, announced today the release of its redesigned iPhone app that is designed for iOS 7, bringing multiple enhancements to iPhone users. The company has simultaneously released a new mobile app for BlackBerry 10, bringing Viber to BlackBerry’s latest OS with many of the most popular Viber features for the first time.

“Viber has been redesigned from the start for simplicity and ease of use. For our iPhone release we took our cue from the clean, flat look of iOS 7, we wanted Viber to feel like a completely seamless part of the device,” said Talmon Marco, CEO of Viber. “Our BlackBerry 10 app is a beautiful twist on our design delivering the most up to date experience for our users.”

Both the iPhone and BlackBerry apps have been enhanced with powerful new features that expand the functionality of the platform. Importantly, Viber 4.2 for iPhone allows users to send multiple photos and videos at the same time and create a block list of unwanted numbers or contacts.

Additional iPhone updates include:

    Send longer video messages
    Show status when a user is typing on Android Tablet, Linux, Mac, PC or Windows 8
    Bug fixes

Top amongst the BlackBerry 10 features are Viber Out and the Viber Sticker Market, which provide users with ways to use the platform, communicate with their friends, and have fun in the process.

In addition, the version features a host of classic features that BlackBerry 10 users have been waiting for:

    Text with your friends in one-on-one and group conversations
    Make free calls with HD sound quality
    Share photos, videos, voice messages, locations, stickers and emoticons
    Push notifications guarantee that you never miss a message or call, even when Viber is off
    Support for the Viber Desktop application on Windows and Mac
    Translated into 34 languages

About Viber:

Viber is a pioneering mobile messaging, voice and video service. Viber lets everyone in the world connect. Freely. Users can send free text messages, fun stickers, photos, videos and doodles, share locations anywhere in the world, make free HD-quality calls and communicate with Push-To-Talk. With Viber Out, users can make low-cost calls to any phone number around the world. Viber is available for iPhone®, Android™ phones and tablets, Windows Phone, BlackBerry®, Blackberry® 10, Windows®, Windows 8®, Mac, Linux, Symbian, Nokia S40 and Bada devices over 3G/4G or WiFi connections. With over 300 million users in 193 countries, Viber is constantly innovating by introducing new platforms and adding fun new features. Viber is a Rakuten Group company.

See more at:

https://www.facebook.com/viber

https://twitter.com/viber


Contacts

Viber Media Contact:
Ayelet Noff, 1-917-675-3245
Blonde 2.0 for Viber
Ayelet@blonde20.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10765/en

Toshiba Wins Contract in Mexico to Supply Steam Turbines for Major Thermal Power Plant Retrofit and Modernization Project

TOKYO - Thursday, April 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE) Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502), one of the world's leading suppliers of thermal power generation equipment, today announced that it has been selected to supply thermal power generation equipment for the retrofit and modernization of the Altamira Thermal Power Plant in Tamaulipas State, northeastern Mexico. Under the terms of the contract, Toshiba will supply Isolux Corsán a major constructor of EPC generation plants, with two high-efficiency 165MW steam turbines and related equipment. Altamira is currently equipped with two 158MW steam turbines and generators that Toshiba shipped to Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE), Mexico's state-owned electricity utility, in the early 1970’s.

CFE, the owner of Altamira, awarded an Isolux Corsán -led consortium, an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contract for the retrofit and upgrade of the plant, including fuel conversion from oil to petroleum coke. Isolux awarded the steam turbine contract to Toshiba on the strength of the company’s comprehensive technological and supply capabilities and its extensive experience in Mexico. Toshiba will deliver the equipment in 2016, and the upgraded power plant is scheduled to start commercial operation in 2017.

Mexico currently meets over 70% of its energy needs with thermal power. Under its 2013-2027 Energy Strategy, the country aims to generate cleaner and more efficient energy, and to achieve the balanced generation mix essential for ensuring a long-term, stable and secure power supply. In coming years, this plan, and investments in advanced new power plants, will support Mexico in further strengthening its energy independence.

Toshiba is an established presence in the North American thermal power steam turbine market, and has a reputation for advanced technical capabilities, competitive products and reliable delivery and operation. In the United States and Canada, Toshiba is a market leader in orders received and has supplied over 90 units. In Mexico, too, Toshiba is a major player. Since entering the market in 1973, the company has delivered 23 steam turbines and generators, including equipment for two combined-cycle projects—Valladolid, which started operation in 2006,and 264 CC Centro, now under construction, and geothermal plants.

Toshiba will continue to reinforce its thermal power plant business in North America, including plant retrofits and modernizations, by providing highly efficient and reliable equipment and services.


Project Outline

1. Project:
         

Retrofit and Modernization Project 258RM CT Altamira Thermal Power Plant in Tamaulipas State, Mexico

2. Owner:
         

Comisión Federal de Electricidad (CFE)

3. EPC contractor:
         

A consortium of Isolux Ingeniería S.A., Isolux de México S.A de CV and Alstom Mexicana S.A. de CV.

4. Site location:
         

Tamaulipas, Mexico

5. Supply by Toshiba:
         

Two sets of 165MW steam turbines and related equipment

Contacts

TOSHIBA CORPORATION

Midori Hara, +81-3-3457-2100

Corporate Communications Div.

media.relations@toshiba.co.jp









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10778/en

Mavenir Systems Introduces Mobile Videomail

RICHARDSON, Texas - Wednesday, April 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Mavenir Systems (NYSE: MVNR), a leading provider of software-based networking solutions, today announced its Converged Video and Voicemail solution, which enables mobile operators to offer an exciting new, differentiated service for their subscribers and enhances their Voice over LTE (VoLTE) service offering.

Mavenir’s Converged Video and Voicemail solution utilizes common functional components, such as cloud storage, message delivery and notifications that are needed to enable VoLTE and Rich Communications Services (RCS), while providing valuable cost efficiencies and synergies needed to seamlessly transform mobile operator networks to 4G LTE. It improves the user experience by extending the mobile operator’s call completion service offering, while providing meaningful cost savings through network consolidation and virtualization.

“Videomail is taking messaging to a whole new level, allowing subscribers to send and receive video messages,” said Pardeep Kohli, President and CEO, Mavenir Systems. “Our unique approach of having a single solution that enables mobile operators to replace existing legacy Voicemail while adding new cloud-based Videomail service, has already been well received by our customers where we already have three contracts with Tier 1 mobile operators globally.”

As part of Mavenir's virtualized portfolio of solutions, Converged Video and Voicemail leverages Network Functions Virtualization (NFV) to optimally scale and deploy on mobile operator cloud-based infrastructure. It is based on Mavenir’s mOne® Convergence Platform and proven technology including Telephony Application Server (TAS), Rich Messaging Server (RMS) and mStore™ products.

About Mavenir Systems:

Mavenir Systems (NYSE: MVNR) provides software-based networking solutions that enable mobile service providers to deliver next generation services over 4G LTE networks. Mavenir™ has a fully virtualized end to end portfolio of Voice/Video, Messaging and Mobile Core products that include IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS), Evolved Packet Core (EPC) and Session Border Controller (SBC). Mavenir’s solutions, based on the award-winning mOne® software platform, leverage NFV and SDN technologies for deployments on cloud-based infrastructure.

www.mavenir.com

© 2014 Mavenir Systems, Inc. All rights reserved.

Mavenir Systems®, mOne®, AirMessenger, Mavenir™, mOne®, mStore™ and mCloud™ are trademarks and registered trademarks of Mavenir Systems, Inc.

Contacts
Mavenir Systems
Maryvonne Tubb, +1-469-916-4393
pr@mavenir.com









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10758/en

2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ Glass Roof for Player Benches Unveiled

AGC Showcases New Possibilities of Chemically Strengthened Glass

ME NewsWire/ Business Wire

TOKYO & SAO PAULO - Thursday, April 24th 2014

AGC today unveiled the official glass roof for player benches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™. The glass roof, made from chemically strengthened glass, provides unparalleled visibility, durability and damage resistance, and is an evolution from the model provided last year by AGC to the FIFA Confederations Cup Brazil 2013.

It also shows that this technology, originally developed to protect small electronic devices such as smartphones and tablets, can be applied to large fixtures, paving the way for greater potential for chemically strengthened glass to be explored by architects and designers.

The player benches, composed entirely of AGC-made materials such as fluoropolymer-coated frames made with fiber reinforced plastic, will be supplied to all 12 venues, and be used at all matches of the world’s biggest sporting event taking place between June 12 and July 13.

One of the key attributes of the glass roof for player benches for the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™ is clear visibility. The rear portion of the bench is applied with anti-reflective coating, making its reflective properties 13 times lower than conventional glass to ensure the best-possible visual experience for football fans.

Protection for players and staff on the bench is provided by a double layer of chemically strengthened Dragontrail™ X, considered the world’s strongest cover glass for electronic devices. Dragontrail X is characterized by low center tension and the world’s highest compression stress. The technology, first showcased at CES 2014, makes glass exceedingly durable against external shock. Dragontrail X is the latest offering in AGC’s Dragontrail line that first debuted in 2011, and is 30% stronger than conventional Dragontrail products, and up to eight times stronger than soda lime glass.

Like the Confederations Cup version, the new glass roof is also highly resistant to scratching, as well as deformation and discoloration, promising years-long product life even in outdoor environments characterized by fluctuating temperature and humidity.

“I’m proud that the bench featuring AGC’s new glass technology developed by our diligent engineers and workers will be shared with the players and thousands of football fans at the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™,” stated Kazuhiko Ishimura, President & CEO of AGC Asahi Glass, on the occasion of the unveiling of the bench in Sao Paulo. “This glass bench roof represents new possibilities for the application of our chemically strengthened glass technology in a variety of purposes.”

Thierry Weil, FIFA Marketing Director, welcomed AGC’s involvement at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™, stating; “We’re happy to have the support of a strong and innovative company like AGC, who is constantly looking to develop and improve their product. The quality of AGC’s product is extremely high and will fit in very well at the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ stadia.”

In October 2012, AGC was named a 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Branded Licensee as the first B-to-B company to market the “Official Licensed Glass Roof of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Player Benches” for the FIFA Confederations Cup 2013 and the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil™.

About the AGC Group

The AGC Group, with Tokyo-based Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. at its core, is a world-leading supplier of flat, automotive and display glass, chemicals and other high-tech materials and components. Drawing on more than a century of technical innovation, the AGC Group has developed world-class expertise in fields including glass, chemistry and ceramics technologies. The group employs some 50,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately 13 billion USD through business in about 30 countries. For more information, please visit www.agc-group.com.

About Dragontrail™

Dragontrail is AGC’s damage- and scratch-resistant specialty glass that has been adopted for use as cover glass in numerous smartphones and tablet PC models. For more information, visit http://Dragontrail.agc.com/en/

(Reference)

Official Licensed Glass Roof of the 2014 FIFA World Cup™ Player Benches

Bench Statistics (Players bench)

Dimensions
         

Length:
         

11.5 meters

Height:
         

1.9 meters

Depth:
         

1.0 meter

Weight
         

Approximately 760 kilograms

Glass thickness (backpanel)
         

Approximately 3.5 millimeters

Number of seats
         

23

Manufacturing location
         

Japan
           

Bench characteristics

Component
         

Material
         

Key features

Roof/backpanel
         

Dragontrail™ X
         

- Achieves world’s highest level of surface strength

Glass coating
         

Anti-reflection coating
         

- Reduces reflection rate to 1/13 that of conventional glass

Frame
         

Fiber reinforced plastic
         

- Stronger than steel, enables creative designs

Frame coating/paint
         

LUMIFLON™ fluoropolymer coating
         

- Highly weather-resistant, lowers life cycle costs of large-scale constructions

Seat
         

Carboglass™ polycarbonate sheet
         

- Special coating technology ensures seat retains factory-grade transparency

Seat cushion
         

Polypropylene glycol used in polyurethane foam
         

- High-quality seating comfort by optimized body pressure distribution

Contacts

Media Contact

Junichi Kobayashi

General Manager, Corporate Communications & Investor Relations



Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

Aoi Takahashi, +81-3-3218-5603

info-pr@agc.com







Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10771/en

AGC's Dragontrail™ Now Carried by 37 Electronic Device Brands

TOKYO & SAO PAULO - Thursday, April 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- AGC, a world-leading supplier of glass, chemicals, ceramics and other high-tech materials and components, today announced that its Dragontrail™ damage- and scratch-resistant glass is now carried by 37 major brands of electronic devices worldwide. Sales of Dragontrail, a specialty glass used as protective cover glass in smartphones and tablets and other electronic devices, have grown 500% since its launch three years ago.

AGC produces Dragontrail with superior efficiency to stably meet global mobile device makers’ growing demand for cover glass used in smartphones, tablets and other electronic devices. Dragontrail created a sensation in January of 2011 with strength no less than six times greater than that of conventional soda-lime glass and with its pristine scratch-free finish.

Since the launch of Dragontrail, AGC has been upgrading and enhancing its technology and properties. Just recently, at the 2014 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES), the company introduced Dragontrail™ X as the newest addition to the lineup.

Dragontrail X is distinguished by low center tension and the world’s highest level of compression stress, resulting in an extra-tough glass offering 30% greater strength than its predecessor. Its surface strength is up to eight times stronger than soda-lime glass, further enhancing the toughness of devices equipped with the product. Dragontrail X has already been favorably received by several electronics manufacturers, and is expected to be marketed in the near future.

Going forward, AGC will continue to develop technologically advanced glass solutions for customers and users worldwide.

About the AGC Group

The AGC Group, with Tokyo-based Asahi Glass Co., Ltd. at its core, is a world-leading supplier of flat, automotive and display glass, chemicals and other high-tech materials and components. Drawing on more than a century of technical innovation, the AGC Group has developed world-class expertise in fields including glass, fluorine chemistry and ceramics technologies. The group employs some 50,000 people worldwide and generates annual sales of approximately 13 billion USD through business in about 30 countries. For more information, please visit www.agc-group.com/.

Reference: Dragontrail X will make an appearance as a glass roof for player benches at the largest sporting event in the world taking place in June this year in Brazil. Featuring one of the world’s highest levels of strength and durability, along with greater transparency thanks to anti-reflective coating, the glass roof will add to the excitement of the world’s top level games.

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/cgi-bin/mmg.cgi?eid=50847100&lang=en

Contacts

Media Contact

Asahi Glass Co., Ltd.

Junichi Kobayashi

General Manager

Corporate Communications & Investor Relations

Aoi Takahashi (Ms.), +81-3-3218-5603

info-pr@agc.com









Permalink: http://www.me-newswire.net/news/10768/en

Toshiba Starts Mass Production of World's First 15nm NAND Flash Memories

TOKYO - Wednesday, April 23rd 2014 [ME NewsWire]

(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Toshiba Corporation (TOKYO:6502) today announced that it has developed the world’s first 15-nanometer (nm)*1 process technology, which will apply to 2-bit-per-cell 128-gigabit (16 gigabytes) NAND flash memories. Mass production with the new technology will start at the end of April at Fab 5 Yokkaichi Operations, Toshiba’s NAND flash fabrication facility (fab), replacing second generation 19 nm process technology, Toshiba’s previous flagship process. The second stage of Fab 5 is currently under construction, and the new technology will also be deployed there.

Toshiba has achieved the world’s smallest class chip size with the 15nm process plus improved peripheral circuitry technology. The new chips achieve the same write speed as chips formed with second generation 19 nm process technology, but boost the data transfer rate to 533 megabits a second, 1.3 times faster, by employing a high speed interface.

Toshiba is now applying the 15nm process technology 3-bit-per-cell chips, and aims to start mass production in the first quarter of this fiscal year, to June 2014. The company will develop controllers for embedded NAND flash memory in parallel and introduce 3-bit-per-cell products for smartphones and tablets, and will subsequently extend application to notebook PCs by developing a controller compliant with solid state drives (SSD).

Toshiba continues to closely follow its process technology development roadmap and will strengthen product competitiveness and performance by applying leading-edge process to production. Looking to the future, Toshiba will reinforce its market leadership by promoting product innovation and development and ensuring that it is able to respond to a wide variety of clients' product needs, including smartphones, tablets, slim notebook PCs and enterprise products requiring high reliability, including SSD for data centers.

*1 As of April 23, 2014. Toshiba survey. *2 1 nanometer is 1 x 10-9 or 1 / 1,000,000,000 m.

About Toshiba

Toshiba is a world-leading diversified manufacturer, solutions provider and marketer of advanced electronic and electrical products and systems. Toshiba Group brings innovation and imagination to a wide range of businesses: digital products, including LCD TVs, notebook PCs, retail solutions and MFPs; electronic devices, including semiconductors, storage products and materials; industrial and social infrastructure systems, including power generation systems, smart community solutions, medical systems and escalators & elevators; and home appliances.

Toshiba was founded in 1875, and today operates a global network of more than 590 consolidated companies, with 206,000 employees worldwide and annual sales surpassing 5.8 trillion yen (US$61 billion). Visit Toshiba's web site at www.toshiba.co.jp/index.htm

Photos/Multimedia Gallery Available: http://www.businesswire.com/multimedia/home/20140422006898/en

Contacts

Toshiba Corporation

Semiconductor & Storage Products Company

Megumi Genchi / Kota Yamaji, +81-3-3457-3576

Communication IR Promotion Group

Business Planning Division

semicon-NR-mailbox@ml.toshiba.co.jp









Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10759/en

Toshiba's Paper Reusing System Saves Paper Wastage in Logistics

Case Studies: “Onest Logistics” in Mexico and “Pilot Pen” in Australia

TOKYO. - Thursday, April 24th 2014 [ME NewsWire]
(BUSINESS WIRE) Toshiba TEC, a global leader in printing, imaging solutions and services, is proud to announce to the Logistics industry, the e-STUDIO306LP/RD30. It is the world’s first multifunction printer (MFP) to incorporate a unique erasable toner enabling the output to be erased and re-used multiple times.
The e-STUDIO306LP/RD30 is a revolutionary MFP system like no other on the market. By using regular office paper, the e-STUDIO306LP can print documents with an erasable blue toner that is easily identifiable in any work environment. One sheet of paper can be reused multiple times once fed or passed through the e-STUDIO RD30 eraser unit. At the same time it can be scanned and archived electronically to a designated file location.
Since its launch, the e-STUDIO306LP/RD30 has been installed in several organisations all endeavouring to reduce the amount of paper used on site as well as reduce their carbon footprint. We believe, the logistics industry can benefit greatly by utilising this innovative system.
In a warehouse environment, the life span of documents such as order sheets, picking slips and inventory reports are short lived and often printed in excessive volumes. However, the need to reduce these paper levels is highly desirable within many businesses. Toshiba’s paper reusing system reduces paper, cost and carbon emissions by reusing the same paper several times. It also improves warehouse efficiency by scanning and sorting the paper automatically.
Onest Logistics
Onest Logistics is the second largest logistics and warehousing solution provider in Mexico stretching across 22 offices in Mexico. The company is conscious about social responsibility and often takes initiative in promoting environmental conservation activities. The company introduced the Toshiba e-STUDIO306LP/RD30 to their business environments having discovering the benefits of adopting Toshiba’s revolutionary paper reusing system.
Onest Logistics focused on the total amount of paper used in their company. They print 500,000 pages a month, most of which are thrown away only a few days after being printed. To reduce paper consumption, the e-STUDIO306LP/RD30 has been installed in their Head Office and warehouses. Employees are currently printing order-confirmation reports, picking orders, inventory validation reports and order dispatch sheets with Toshiba’s e-STUDIO306LP. Noticeably they have found that productivity is maintained whilst also achieving their corporate environmental goals.
Pilot Pen Australia
Pilot Pen Australia has installed the Toshiba e-STUDIO306LP/RD30 in its national warehouse. They understand the challenges of day to day paper usage and the critical part paper plays within a business environment. On average, 500 picking slips are printed per day in the warehouse.
Today, Pilot Pen is printing picking slips with an e-STUDIO306LP and the warehouse staff ticks off items with a Pilot Frixion erasable-ink pen. After checking the picking list, the paper is then fed through the e-STUDIORD30 erasing unit where the erasing process begins. That same paper can then be reused through the e-STUDIO306LP.
By using Toshiba’s e-STUDIO306LP/RD30, Pilot Pen Australia has reduced their paper consumption by more than 90% and have adapted to this system at their warehouse.
Given Pilot Pen Australia were satisfied with the performance of the e-STUDIO306LP/RD30, they purchased a second e-STUDIO 306LP/RD30 which is being utilised by the rest of their head office, including accounts payable, finance and marketing. Internal documents within the business have been streamlined to be printed, archived and erased. Usage of this system at their office has also resulted in less filing cabinets occupying precious office space.
Cases of Onest Logistics and Pilot Pen Australia prove that there are many opportunities to decrease temporary paper use in warehouses/distribution centres for logistics and in various other industries such as manufacturing and retail. The system improves work efficiency, and makes more economical use of paper. This is a whole new way to be more environmentally friendly, more efficient and more create economical work processes.
For more information about e-STUDIO 306LP/RD30, please visit YOUTUBE.
About Onest Logistics
http://www.onestlogistics.com/en/
About Pilot
http://www.pilotpen.com.au/newpp/index.html
About Toshiba TEC Corporation
Toshiba TEC Corporation, a Toshiba company, designs and markets worldwide an extensive range of technology products and service solutions, in several industries such as retail, hospitality, manufacturing, logistics, transportation, education and general office.
Please visit http://www.toshibatec.co.jp/en.
In the USA: http://business.toshiba.com/usa/home.html
In Australia: http://www.eid.toshiba.com.au/
In Europe: http://toshiba-europe.com/tec
Unless otherwise specified and/or credited all images, artwork, text and graphics, logos and logotypes are the copyright and/or trademark of the respective owners. All rights reserved.
Contacts
Toshiba Business Solutions Latin America Headquarters
Koichi Moriya, +1-949-462-6610
Assistant General Manager
Koichi.Moriya@tabs.toshiba.com

Toshiba (Australia) Pty Ltd
Andrew Simpson, +61-2-9887-6043
Product Manager
Marketing Department
Electronic Imaging Division
asimpson@toshiba-tap.com

Toshiba TEC Corporation
Toshihiko Minato, +81-50-3681-5528
Senior Manager
Marketing Dept.
Printing Solutions Operations
Global Solutions Business Group
Toshihiko_Minato@toshibatec.co.jp


Permalink: http://me-newswire.net/news/10769/en