Exbiblio to take text capture concept to iPhone, Android |
Connect with TechFlash on our Facebook page for all the latest technology news headlines and commentary, plus information and access to special events, photos from events, promotions and more.
A local startup called Exbiblio has spent the past several years developing a device that can capture a string of words on a printed page and find the corresponding text on the internet. Now the company, whose founder Martin King was one of the minds behind Tegic's T9 predictive text software for mobile phones, is embarking on a new mobile strategy. Exbiblio is working on applications for the iPhone and Android smartphones -- the idea being that people can hold their phones over printed words and get linked to the corresponding digital article or website.
Exbiblio is talking up its iPhone/Android strategy at the Newspaper Association of America annual convention, underway now in San Diego.
King said the company aims to have one of the mobile applications, most likely for Android phones, to market in the next 6 to 12 weeks. He said Exbiblio hasn't given up on its original handheld scanner concept -- the "Qi" -- but saw an opportunity in the iPhone and Android platforms.
"We can't ignore the opportunity to deploy on phones and the sheer numbers will be compelling," said King. He said Exbiblio's technology -- by channeling print readers into web traffic and web sales -- could help the struggling newspaper industry.
King has personally bankrolled Exbiblio, to the tune of about $10 million, since the company launched in 2004. The startup, which was once based in Seattle's Pioneer Square, has since decamped to Vashon Island, and the staff has been whittled down from roughly a dozen to six today.
Here's a profile I did of the company -- and its unusual history and structure -- about two years ago. King founded Exbiblio with Cliff Kushler and Dale Grover, his T9 co-inventors (Kushler's startup Swype just raised $1.3 million in funding). Bill Valenti, another Tegic founder, is also an investor in Exbiblio.
If you are commenting using a Facebook account, your profile information may be displayed with your comment depending on your privacy settings. By leaving the 'Post to Facebook' box selected, your comment will be published to your Facebook profile in addition to the space below.
Who's creating today's energy efficient buildings? Find out at the BetterBricks Awards, Feb. 16
BetterBricks Awards salute the individuals leading the way for high performance commercial buildings with an emphasis on energy efficiency. Join us as we recognize these standout green building professionals.
Award categories include: Advocate; Architect/Designer; Facility Manager/Operator; and Owner/Developer.
Keynote Speaker: Kevin Kampschroer, Director of U.S. GSA's Office of Federal High Performance Buildings. Kevin leads the U.S. General Services Administration's efforts in building sustainability and accelerating industry adoption of sustainable principles across all aspects of a building's life.
Register here by February 10!
If you are interested in buying a table, email Monica Alquist or call her at 206-876-5404.
The Triple Door Presents: The Atomic Bombshells "J'ADORE!: A Burlesque Valentine"
Seattle's reigning Burlesque super-troupe delivers a gorgeous and glittering VALENTINE featuring some of the Bombshells' most exhilarating acts to date. J'Adore! promises to celebrate l'amour with good humor, style, and a healthy dose of dazzle! Bring a friend, a lover, a family member, or a secret crush, and celebrate with the Valentine's Burlesque spectacular that will leave you shouting: "J'ADORE......The Atomic Bombshells!" The incomparable Jasper McCann emcees with high style and charm.
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
The Triple Door Presents: Bob Mould – See A Little Light: An Evening of Reading and Music
"Bob Mould. Those two words are synonymous with integrity. From Husker Du in the last century to right at this moment, Bob is the real deal, writing and playing music for music's sake. He's a great songwriter and performer. I have been a fan of Bob's for thirty years now with no end in sight." -Henry Rollins
Please visit www.thetripledoor.net for a full schedule of future performances.
Why Choose BDO for your SOC (previously SAS 70) Reports?
BDO’s experience in providing attestation services (SAS 70/SSAE 16, AT 101, AT 201, AT 601, etc.) to a broad range of industries, and our team of skilled professionals distinctly qualifies us to serve as your company’s Service Auditor. By leveraging the BDO global network of control specialists, we are poised to provide global services in more than 1,000 offices and across 119 countries. Many organizations find that investing in reports on controls may result in benefits, including:
• Increased client confidence
• Improved competitive advantage
• Minimization of frequent audits
• Streamlined business processes and controls
• Enhanced risk management
For detailed information contact Paul Martini at pmartini@bdo.com.