October 23, 2008
4:30pm-7:30pm
Irwin M. Jacobs Qualcomm Hall
The 8th annual GadgetFest is fast approaching, and tech companies in the Every year, CommNexus challenges tech companies within and beyond the
The competition is preceded by a Mini CES-style trade show and gives you the opportunity to experience the latest technologies as well as network with industry representatives from all parts of the globe. Register now and secure your place in this year’s biggest event! This is your chance to get exclusive access to the hottest gadgets for 2009 before anyone else!
Note to college students: GadgetFest is FREE for you! We encourage all engineering and computer science college students to attend and experience one of CommNexus' biggest events. Just remember to register yourself through our web site and bring your student I.D. the day of the event!
MODERATORS:
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Ken Rutkowski KenRadio, Host and President Ken Rutkowski is both Host and President of KenRadio Broadcasting. Part pundit, part matchmaker, part strategist, Rutkowski is considered one of the most broadly informed and connected people in the media, entertainment and technology markets. He helps startups and multinational corporations understand the trends shaping their industries and connect with the people who matter. His daily radio and Internet show, World Tech Round-Up, is a source of inside information for listeners in more than 40 countries, often scooping the major media and giving perspective to emerging trends, developments and industry maneuvers. An astute strategist, Rutkowski combines a deep understanding of media, entertainment and technology market convergence with an insider's perspective of the problems facing the industry today, helping clients craft strategies that leverage innovations in the digital economy. He is a founding member of the Streaming Media Executive Committee and is on the boards of several media, entertainment and technology companies. He appears regularly as a guest correspondent for KTTV Fox 11 and Fox's "Good Day LA."
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Andy Abramson KenRadio, Co-Host and Sr. Editor Andy Abramson is co-host of KenRadio.com’s World Technology Round Up, Editor of Andy Abramson’s VoIPWatch, one of the blogosphere’s most read new technology blogs (http://andyabramson.blogs.com). Often quoted by reporters and analysts on the subjects of VoIP and Wireless in his real life Andy is CEO of Comunicano, Inc., an asymmetrical marketing communications agency based in Del Mar, CA. His company represents leading established and emerging 2.0 technology and consumer products companies based around the world.
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JUDGES:
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Phil Baker San Diego Transcript, Tech Columnist Phil Baker has developed consumer and computer products for Polaroid, Apple, Seiko and others. Phil is also the author of "From Concept to Consumer," a new book published by the Financial Times and available from Barnes & Noble and Amazon November 1. Products include the SX-70 camera, Apple Newton, Apple PowerBooks, and the Stowaway folding keyboard. He holds 30 patents and was named San Diego's Ernst & Young Entrepreneur of the Year for consumer products in 2001. Phil is the technology columnist for the San Diego Transcript, has a technology hour on KOGO AM. and continues to develop new products for companies in Asia.
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Michael Robertson MP3.com, Founder In his 18-year career, high-tech entrepreneur Michael Robertson has spearheaded a cache of diverse, high-profile companies ranging from digital music to operating systems to VoIP to entertainment. Not one to shy from controversy, his quest to offer competing products and innovative technologies has brought him face to face with corporate giants – and corporate lawsuits. But his madness always has a method – producing relevant technology and products that bring choice and freedom back to the consumer. Be it MP3, Linux, software, or hardware, Michael has built his career on supporting open standards that empower consumers. With companies like Linspire, SIPphone, and MP3tunes, Michael has entered industries that traditionally had only one or two dominant players. But with each industry he tackles, Michael's end goal is trying to bring competition and freedom of choice back to the marketplace. And restoring that freedom is the undercurrent of every venture he helms. Michael's high-profile startups include MP3.com, where he established the largest collection of digital music in the world, amassing more than 1 million downloadable MP3 files. Robertson also spearheaded change in corporate business music services and put the power of CD creation in artists' hands by offering a host of support technologies and services. Vivendi Universal purchased the profitable company in 2001 for $372 million in stock and cash. Michael has also started Linspire, Inc., SIPphone.com. Prior to establishing MP3.com as a major portal of music distribution, Michael operated several web sites from 1995 to March 1998 that focused on merging search technologies with commerce. Michael received his Bachelor of Arts degree in Cognitive Science from the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) in 1990. Michael is also a principal investor in Sadie's Children's Photography, a studio that creates Hollywood-like settings for children's portraits. Sadie's is located in malls across the country, including Mall of America. |
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Steve Kovsky San Diego 6 TV, Technology Correspondent Veteran journalist and author Steve Kovsky has covered high technology for nearly 20 years in print, radio, television and online. He is also the author of two popular technology "how to” books for consumers: "The Absolute Beginner’s Guide to Windows XP Media Center Edition,” (Que, 2004) and "HighTech Toys for Your TV: Secrets of TiVo, Xbox, ReplayTV, UltimateTV and More" (Que 2002). From 2005 to 2007, Steve served as Principal Analyst for Digital TVs and Research Leader for the Consumer Electronics Group at Current Analysis, a San Diego market research firm that was acquired by NPD in 2007. Steve got his tech and business reporting chops as a writer and editor for national publications such as PC Week, Computer Systems News, Digital Review, Computer Sources, and Electronic Components. As Executive Editor at PC Week, he helped create the magazine's pioneering Webcast effort, PC Week Radio. He subsequently joined cable television network ZDTV (now TechTV) as a TV news reporter and was appointed Editorial Director, Broadband, for ZDNet in 1999. As Executive Editor for CNET Radio (KNEW AM 910 in San Francisco; WBPS AM 890 in Boston; and XM Satellite Channel 130), Kovsky managed the station's newsroom and Web site, in addition to hosting a lively 3hour callin show (9am to noon PT daily) on current tech topics. |
COMPETITION PARTICIPANTS:
Mushroom Networks
Nextivity
Nokia
Nine Multimedia, Inc.
Real Phone Card Corp.
RIM
Truphone
Truphone
Runner Up:
Mushroom Networks
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TRADESHOW PARTICIPANTS:
Nokia
Motorola
Verizon Wireless
LG
Cricket Communications
Mushroom Networks
Ewing Design Group
Vangard Voice
Alioscopy USA, Inc.
Kyocera Wireless
MediaFLO, USA
VIDEO

Past Participant Calit2 at GadgetFest '06
WHEN
Thursday, October 23, 2008
4:30PM - Registration & Trade Show Exhibits Open / Networking
6:00PM - Competition Begins
7:30PM - Event Ends
EVENT HOST
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Qualcomm Headquarters, Building N - 5775 Morehouse Drive, San Diego, CA 92121
COST
$ 45.00 - Pre-Registration
Please pre-register by Noon on October 22
$ 50.00 - At-The-Door
PROGRAM COMMITTEE
Clint McClellan, Qualcomm, Inc.
Andy Abramson, Comunicano
Date:
Thursday, October 23, 20084:30PM-7:30PM
Add to Calendar
Location:
5775 Morehouse DriveSan Diego, CA 92121








