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QiGO Internet Content Keys Launched at D: All Things Digital Conference

Posted on: Wednesday, 30 May 2007, 06:00 CDT

CARLSBAD, Calif., May 30 /PRNewswire/ -- QiGO LLC (pronounced Key-Go), today announced the launch of QiGO Internet Content Keys at The Wall Street Journal's fifth D: All Things Digital Conference.

(Photo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070530/AQW022 )

QiGOs are key-shaped USB devices that immediately launch Internet experiences when plugged into PCs. Each QiGO physically looks like the experience it will launch. For example, a QiGO shaped like a rock band's logo will unlock that group's premium rich multimedia Internet experience; while one that looks like a popular children's character will bring up games and Internet-based content associated with that character. Because every QiGO is unique, passwords and user names are not needed -- Just Plug It In.

"More and more companies are offering paid premium Internet services but there is no compelling way to sell that experience physically, such as at retail or in a gift box. It's still virtually impossible to go into a retail store today and buy an Internet experience such as a one year's subscription to a Web site or access to a popular band's premium fan site," said Dan Klitsner, co-founder of QiGO, LLC. "Our goal was to make the Internet tangible and intuitive while eliminating user names, passwords and PINs. With a QiGO, you just plug it in and it works."

QiGO Internet Content Keys are being demonstrated publicly for the first time at Walt Mossberg and Kara Swisher's D: All Things Digital Conference.

QiGO keys and a full suite of QiGO development, back-end and retail distribution services are now available to companies wishing to create the simplest and most fitting user experience for their content and brands. QiGO, LLC can also assist companies in placing existing Internet content into walled gardens that can only be accessed with QiGO keys.

QiGO technology is already integrated into a variety of products currently in stores including:

-- Konami's QiGO version of its popular online trading card game, Yu-Gi-Oh, which is currently the top selling product at the Konami Live Web site -- Hasbro's Net Jet Instant Online Game System

QiGO technology has also been licensed to Fisher Price for use in pre-school toys that will connect children to gated versions of existing children's Web sites.

QiGOs Internet Content Keys will be available to consumers at major retail outlets beginning this fall in the form of games, photo share and online subscriptions. QiGO projects are also under development with Electric Red, Rick Smolan's Against All Odds Productions, 20Q and others.

Electric Red is looking at the QiGO solution as a a breakthrough technology to facilitate an awesome consumer experience," said John Sutyak, VP of licensing for Electric Red. "We are working with some great companies on QiGO projects such as ESPN's X Games brand.

"By allowing us to offer access to an Internet experience in a compelling non-technical way, QiGO has opened up a new world of potential products for us," said Rick Smolan, CEO of Against All Odds Productions and the creator of the widely acclaimed and best-selling Day In The Life series of books. "Plug it in and it appears, pull it out and it disappears. QiGO gives us with such a simple yet powerful way to provide selective access to our online content."

"Over 50 Million 20Q games have been played online -- but an online version has never been offered at retail. QiGO has collaborated with us to create 20Q Live -- a brand new game including online videos which is started by simply plugging in a key," said 20Q inventor Robin Burgener. "QiGO has added a whole new dimension to the 20Q experience. Their Internet key reaches new customers who may never find us online -- we are excited to be one of the first content partners to be available on the QiGO platform."

20Q Live will be available this fall at major retailers.

While QiGO technology can be implemented for a wide variety of products, it is especially well suited to six main product categories:

-- Media -- QiGOs allow content owners to offer a compelling "Just Plug It In" full-screen rich media experience that can be updated on an ongoing basis. QiGOs can also assist companies with content protection through technological means but more significantly through emotional means. Because the physical look and feel of QiGOs can be customized for every company and brand, they are expected to become desired collectors items in the same way that many creatively packaged record albums became treasured possessions. -- Subscription -- QiGO gives Internet content owners a new, simple and compelling way to sell subscriptions at retail or through other promotions. Access to content can be packaged in a desirable physical form that does not require the end users to enter PIN numbers or register. All they do is Plug It In. -- Kid-Safe Internet -- QiGO allows children's companies to provide access to pre-selected, age-appropriate Internet experiences by simply plugging in a key. For kid safe applications, QiGO can create a walled garden for the company's content that will not allow the child to click away to other sites. It can configure PCs to block all Internet access on a computer except when a QiGO is plugged in. -- Photo and Video Share -- Because a set of QiGOs can be pre-configured to be linked together, they are well suited for photo and video sharing applications. These applications make it easy for a person to send keys to friends and relatives giving them instant enjoyment of a set of photos simply by plugging in the key. -- Multi Player Games -- QiGOs can be configured to allow two or more people to play games against each other online. No need for user names or passwords. Yu-Gi-Oh from Konami has already drawn in many new users with a QiGO based product. -- Promotion -- For companies with unique brands, QiGOs can be sent to customer prospects to give them a new promotional experience. The prospect simply plugs in the key and is taken to a special Internet experience designed just for QiGO users. Because the experience is Internet based and not saved in memory on the key, the experience can be constantly updated. About QiGO, LLC

KID Group is a think tank, development and licensing group made up of entrepreneurs, inventors, engineers and senior managers behind multiple product successes. QiGO LLC is a newly established company based on KID's patent pending Internet Key technology, which enables a safe, simple, plug and play connection to Internet content and communities.

The company's mission is to create, develop and license innovative ideas for technology-driven toys, games and interactive entertainment. The company has broad experience and success in product development, licensing intellectual property and spotting new trends in technology based toys.

With 17 years of expertise and working relationships with all major toy companies, KID's vision and process has sparked the launch of top selling interactive games worldwide. The company has licensed over 250 inventions to leading companies including Hasbro, Mattel, Fisher Price, Tonka, Wild Planet, Spin Master, Parker Brothers, Konami, Sega, Superscape, and Shockwave. Most notably, KID established the category of Interactive PC Playsets for Atari, and invented the hit game Bop it for Milton Bradley -- over 15 million sold and counting.

KID Group partners include, Dan Klitsner whose focus is Creative Direction and Innovation, Gary Levenberg, Software and Technology development and Brain Clemens, Product Development.

Images available at: http://www.fotki.com/joshuaw/qigo .

All trademarks are property of their respective owners.

Photo: NewsCom: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20070530/AQW022PRN Photo Desk, photodesk@prnewswire.com

QiGO, LLC

CONTACT: Joshua Weinberg of Digital Life PR, +1-415-777-3339,joshua@DLifepr.com, for QiGO, LLC

Web site: http://www.fotki.com/joshuaw/qigo

Source: PRNewswire

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