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Monday, January 9, 2012

Biscotti TV Phone Named as 2012 CES Innovations Honoree

Biscotti brings easy HD video calling to the living room, transforming any TV into a high-definition videophone. Featuring interoperability with Google video chat, users can call anyone on any device with no monthly fees. 

CES, Las Vegas – January 9, 2012 – For its cutting-edge design and innovation in the marketplace, Biscotti - the world’s first high-definition TV phone - has received the prestigious distinction of International CES Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering Awards Honoree.

Biscotti TV Phone, which will be shown at International CES 2012, is a single device that sits discreetly atop a TV and allows users to make high-definition calls to anyone, anywhere in the world using only their HDTV and Wi-Fi. Biscotti can make free calls to other Biscotti, and to any computer, iPhone, iPad or Android device supporting Google video chat, including Gmail and Google Apps accounts. Thanks to Biscotti’s unique ability to pass through video from cable or satellite boxes, users can receive calls while watching TV – all without the need to switch inputs.

“Biscotti is designed for people who value real-life, personal interaction. It’s a single-purpose, dedicated TV Phone that’s always ready to connect, so you can make and receive calls without interrupting your lifestyle,” said Dr. Matthew B. Shoemake, Biscotti’s CEO and Founder. “HDTVs are selling faster than any other consumer electronics product on the market, fueling the demand for high definition video calling. By 2015, we’re predicting 25% of homes will be making high-definition video calls daily.”

Biscotti TV Phone connects to HDTVs via HDMI cable. Initial set-up takes minutes, during which users customize their personal profile, creating a unique Biscotti ID and inviting Biscotti and Google contacts to chat. Once connected to Wi-Fi, Biscotti is always ready to instantly make calls, notifying users of incoming calls while they are watching TV via a pop-up message on screen, or if no one is home, turning the TV on/off for each incoming call (compatible TVs only). Users can also designate specific contacts that will cause the TV to automatically answer, a great feature for home security or ensuring you can always reach someone.

Biscotti TV Phone is now available for just $199. To learn more, visit www.biscotti.com and watch videos at www.youtube.com/biscottitv. Follow Biscotti on www.facebook.com/biscottitv and on Twitter @BiscottiTV.

Biscotti will be displayed at the 2012 International CES, which runs January 10-13, 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada. Biscotti’s booth is located in South Hall 1, Booth 21442.

The prestigious Innovations Design and Engineering Awards are sponsored by the Consumer Electronics Association (CEA)®, the producer of the International CES, the world’s largest consumer technology tradeshow, and have been recognizing achievements in product design and engineering since 1976. The Best of Innovations honor is awarded to the products with the highest judges’ scores and will be featured in the Innovations Design and Engineering Showcase at the 2012 International CES.

The Innovations entries are judged based on the following criteria:
  • Engineering qualities, based on technical specs and materials used
  • Aesthetic and design qualities
  • The product’s intended use/function and user value 
  • Unique/novel features that consumers would find attractive 
  • How the design and innovation of the product compares to other products in the marketplace 

Innovations 2012 Design and Engineering honoree products are featured on www.cesweb.org/awards, which lists product categories, as well as each product name, manufacturer information, designer, description, photo and URL.

About Biscotti Inc.
Biscotti Inc. is a consumer electronics company that designs, builds and markets high-definition video calling products for the home. Our latest innovation, Biscotti TV Phone, gives everyone the ability to share real-time experiences from the comfort of their living room, erasing the distance between family and friends. With real-life picture and sound, Biscotti TV Phone is magically simple to use for all ages. Plus, you can make unlimited free calls to anyone, anywhere. It’s the next best thing to being there. Biscotti TV Phone was created by a team of lovable scientists in Texas, led by Dr. Matthew B. Shoemake, a pioneer in Wi-Fi and video communications. Biscotti Inc. is privately held and backed by Palomar Ventures of Santa Monica, California. For more information or to buy Biscotti TV Phone, visit www.biscotti.com. Connect with us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/biscottitv and on Twitter @BiscottiTV.

1 comment:

  1. I couldn’t go to CES this year, but I heard from my employer, DISH, that it was another big success. I see here that Biscotti Inc. won the “Innovations” award just like DISH. Actually, I heard someone talking about the TV Phone because they saw it and was impressed. Congratulations on your award, I know we were proud to win it for the Hopper multi-room DVR too. Our new ability to record 4 shows on one tuner, called PrimeTime Anytime, is one of the award winning features. I love that it will give me up to 6 shows to record between 7-10 PM when the Hopper comes out. I would love to pair the two together for a total luxury experience in my home. We have some missionary friends we Skype with right now and this would be more convenient.

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