Netgear buys SkipJam
Networking giant makes movie into home automation
In a welcome respite from the raging debate about Draft-N wireless kit, Netgear has tied up a deal to acquire SkipJam Corp.
SkipJam produces integrated software for centralised control of entertainment kit in the home. The New York company’s technology enables automation of audio-visual kit and will allow other devices to be built into Netgear’s standard networking products.
Netgear clearly hopes to use SkipJam’s expertise in future generations of entertainment kit such as the MP101 digital music player and the non-UK DAVE700 streaming box.
Commenting on the acquisition, Patrick Lo, chairman and CEO of Netgear, said: “SkipJam has the unique software technology to become the platform for our multimedia product portfolio in the growing category of digital home entertainment and control.”
The agreement will cost Netgear a total of $9m (£4.8m), including an incentive package for the SkipJam engineering team, which Netgear wants to retain.
Networked entertainment and automation has recently sparked interest from several networking vendors, not least Linksys, which acquired Danish Kiss Technology for $61m in July 2005. Linksys makes no secret of its desire to expand its digital home offering.
In a welcome respite from the raging debate about Draft-N wireless kit, Netgear has tied up a deal to acquire SkipJam Corp.
SkipJam produces integrated software for centralised control of entertainment kit in the home. The New York company’s technology enables automation of audio-visual kit and will allow other devices to be built into Netgear’s standard networking products.
Netgear clearly hopes to use SkipJam’s expertise in future generations of entertainment kit such as the MP101 digital music player and the non-UK DAVE700 streaming box.
Commenting on the acquisition, Patrick Lo, chairman and CEO of Netgear, said: “SkipJam has the unique software technology to become the platform for our multimedia product portfolio in the growing category of digital home entertainment and control.”
The agreement will cost Netgear a total of $9m (£4.8m), including an incentive package for the SkipJam engineering team, which Netgear wants to retain.
Networked entertainment and automation has recently sparked interest from several networking vendors, not least Linksys, which acquired Danish Kiss Technology for $61m in July 2005. Linksys makes no secret of its desire to expand its digital home offering.
posted by Unknown @ 5:38 PM
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