``For APS/Wencor read digEcor

October 6, 2005 – WENCOR has decided to tidy up its handheld IFE branding by renaming digEplayer creator APS, which it acquired last year. Henceforward the Seattle company founded by ex-Alaska Airlines baggage handler Bill Boyer, now nowhere to be seen in the Wencor hierarchy, will be known as digEcor.

“We felt it was time to use a name that fits the family of entertainment devices and solutions we are bringing to market,” says Wencor CEO Brent Wood. “We have almost completed the move of APS from Washington State to Utah, so it felt like a good time to make the name change.”

Other recent developments include the appointment of Greg Beeston, currently general manager of Wencor Europe, as president of digEcor, and an accleration in the company’s plans to bring the semi-embedded digEsystem to market. New models of digEplayer are also in development.``

The Wencor PR, with it`s tone regarding the digE devices, sounds real upbeat and positive for EDIG. It gives the vague impression that the turmoil is over, Wencor has a renewed firm relationship with EDIG, and everybody is happy. Maybe the light went on, things settled up and they`re forging ahead, hand in hand. Maybe....

My conflict arises from two things (neither of which may be a big deal, and are being artificially inflated in my wary mind).

First the digEplayer screen sizes. As I mentioned in an earlier post, I`m sure that`s not a big deal, involving small cosmetic changes and the bigger screen, but I recall that IMS had 8`` and 10`` screens. This, coupled with their touting faster update capability echoes of things IMS was touting. On the other side of this, it may be a simple as the reporter making a mistake and putting digEsystem screen sizes on digEplayers too (and that the digEplayer continues with a 7`` screen only). And the updating thingy could be what EDIG announced recently.

The second conflict arises from the Shephard article and ``Henceforward the Seattle company founded by ex-Alaska Airlines baggage handler Bill Boyer, now nowhere to be seen in the Wencor hierarchy, will be known as digEcor.`` Boyer gone. No big surprise, but we may have lost a big ally. Was he a casualty in a Wencor vs. EDIG dispute? In Wencor`s IMS vs. EDIG dispute? Or just happy to be back at the coffee house with a pocket full of money?

Bottom line: Does this mean that everything is all happy between Wencor and EDIG, or does it mean IMS has weaselled its way back in (second source for Wencor)?

I obviously KNOW nuttin`!

SGE