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Phantom Entertainment

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Phantom Entertainment
Company typePrivate
IndustryInternet TV, Media Center & Video game consoles and peripherals
Headquarters
Ridgewood, NJ
Key people
John Landino, CEO
ProductsPhantom Lapboard
RevenueNA, Private Company
Number of employees
3, as of July 2007 [1]

Phantom Entertainment, Inc. (formerly known as Infinium Labs until 2006) is a company making keyboards specifically the Phantom Lapboard.

Infinium is best known for developing The Phantom, a cancelled video game console that had promised on demand gaming via the internet in 2004, a full five years before it became commonplace, although no such product ever made it to market leading some to suggest it was Vaporware.

Company history

The founder and CEO, Tim Roberts, resigned in the summer of 2005 as the CEO but remained as the Chairman. He later resigned as Chairman of the Board in July 2007 to pursue other opportunities. Subsequent CEOs include Kevin Bachus (who took the post in August 2005), Greg Koler (in January 2006[2]) and John Landino, who was appointed CEO and Interim Chief Financial Officer in July 2008.[3]

In 2002, the startup company Infinium Labs issued a press release to all news outlets stating that they would soon release a "revolutionary new gaming platform" that would offer an on-demand video game service, delivering games via an online subscription. The press release contained no specific information, but did include a computer-generated prototype design. Due to the excessive use of buzzwords and a suspicious lack of details, the product was derided almost from the start by news sites such as IGN and Slashdot and the comic strip Penny Arcade. In an episode that gained wide publicity, the hardware and gaming site HardOCP researched and wrote an extensive article on the company and the operation, and faced a defensive lawsuit in turn. It also received the first place in "Vaporwares 2004" in Wired News.[4]

In September 2006, the company, which by then had changed its name from Infinium Labs,[5] promised to introduce its "Lapboard" product in November 2006, with a gaming service to follow in March 2007.[6] In June 2008, the company released their Lapboard product.[7]

In August 2007, Phantom Entertainment signed a deal with ProGames network to provide Lapboards and "Game Service Content" in hotels worldwide.[8]

In 2009, Phantom Entertainment became a private company and focused on producing its Phantom Lapboard.

The Phantom console

The Phantom
The Phantom, as shown to floor goers at E3 2004 in Los Angeles
TypeVideo game console
GenerationIf released, was going to be in the Sixth generation era or Seventh generation era (depending on expected release)
LifespanCanceled was expected to be released in November 2004, then January 2005, then March 2005, then September 2005

The Phantom was a cancelled video game console that was allegedly under development in 2004 by Phantom Entertainment, known as Infinium Labs at that time. The cancelled device was supposedly planned to be capable of playing current and future PC games, giving the system a massive initial game library and making it easier for developers to produce games for the system. The system was supposedly designed to use a direct-download content delivery service instead of the discs and cartridges used by most game consoles.

The Phantom was first seen in action at the May 2004 Electronic Entertainment Expo (E3) as a working prototype.

Development

Robrady Design was hired to develop the first Phantom Prototype and Synopse ID was later retained to develop the 2nd and 3rd generation prototypes. The streaming software, UI and code was developed with 220 engineers and developers in the industry as employees in the Seattle Office which was led by Ty Graham (founder of DirectX) and Kevin Bachus (third party development liaison of the Xbox).

Release date

Infinium Labs claimed it would go on sale that November for the holiday season, however the company still had not developed the online delivery software, licensed games or found any retailers. The company missed that deadline, but sent thousands of faxes claiming the system would be ready to launch in January 2005.

When that deadline passed, Infinium predicted the system's release to be around March 2005. That date passed and Infinium Labs did not appear at the 2005 E3.[9] There were hints from Kevin Bachus, former Infinium CEO, that the Phantom would be released around the same time as the Xbox 360 in Autumn 2005, but that date was also missed.

On February 21, 2006 it was reported that The Phantom video game console has been delayed indefinitely "pending further funding".[citation needed]

As of August 15, 2006, the Phantom Console is not listed on the Products page of the website and has seemingly been canceled.

Although the Phantom product did not reach manufacture, computer company Alienware did order a shipment of Lapboards for inclusion with a line of media center PCs. Supposedly for release in February 2007, the company stated in December that Phantom could not meet their delivery needs and they would not be carrying the product.[10] Alienware also never produced their Media Center that the Lapboard was to be paired with.

Financial problems

Due to market conditions from being a pre-revenue startup who was reliant on funding from unregulated hedge funds, the company was not able to achieve its projected 30mm dollar capital raise to complete the Phantom Gaming Service and decided it was in the best interest of the company to scale down and focus on the Phantom Lapboard which was developed as a device for set-top boxes in the living room.

On May 16, 2006, the Securities and Exchange Commission accused Phantom Entertainment founder and former CEO Timothy Roberts of running a "pump and dump" scheme in promoting the Phantom console in 2004.[11]

The Phantom has controversy in both the gaming and business worlds due to the constant pushing back of its release date and a number of financial scandals involving Phantom Entertainment. Phantom Entertainment has lost more than $62.7 million since its creation in its efforts to create the Phantom Console.[12]

Lapboard

Black Version of the Lapboard

The Phantom Lapboard is a wireless keyboard by Phantom Entertainment. It was first released on June 23, 2008 two years after its originally planned release date.

Originally designed as a component of the Phantom game console, it is currently being marketed as an individual purchase for use with Internet TV and PC video games while the console has been cancelled.[13]

In 2010, a new model of the Phantom Lapboard was released, which is designed to work with Internet TV, gaming and media centers.[citation needed]

Announcement

On August 15, 2006, it was announced that the price for the Lapboard would be $129.99 and customers who preorder get $30 off immediately.[14] The first large production order of the Phantom Lapboard was shipped from China on June 15, 2009 and is scheduled to arrive in the USA on July 9, 2009.

The Phantom Lapboard was nominated at the 2004 E3 show for the "BEST OF SHOW" category, and has recently been ordered by Alienware for their Media Center PCs, and a manufacturing contract has been signed to fulfill their order with the manufacturer Itron Technology.[citation needed] On January 3, 2006, Infinium Labs announced that the "Phantom Lapboard" component of the console, which is a keyboard and mouse designed to be held on the lap (for use, for example, seated on a couch in front of a television), was due to be released onto online retailers by the second quarter of 2006.[15] On April 19, 2006, Infinium Labs announced that the keyboard would not be released in time for Q2 2006, but that the device, manufactured by Itron Technology, would be released in North America and Europe "no later than October" of 2006.[16] The keyboard was then delayed until November 2006.[13] On August 22, 2007, Phantom Entertainment signed a deal with ProGames network to provide Lapboards and "Game Service Content" in hotels worldwide.[17] The keyboard was finally released on June 23, 2008,[18] two years after its originally planned release date.

Features and specs

Features
  • Super slim keypad with scissor-type keycaps
  • 3 - button laser mouse with scroll wheel
  • Tilt keyboard design with swiveling plate for both right and left handed users
  • Two-way 2.4 GHz rf technology with 79 channels and 11 ids per channel
  • Wireless operational range can reach up to 10 meters in open space
  • Compact size keyboard with 13 mce hotkeys (10 compound mce hotkeys)
  • 1200 dpi resolution with motion detection on acceleration of 8g
  • Hhigh-speed motion detection of 20 inches/second
  • Low power consumption, 16ma in working mode
  • Self adjusting 4-step power saving function with power on/off button
  • Battery duration typically 4 months
Specifications
  • General:
    • Device Type: Keyboard
    • Wireless Receiver: USB Wireless Receiver
    • Form Factor: External
  • Input Device:
    • Connectivity Technology: Wireless
    • Interface: RF
    • Max Operating Distance: Up To 33 FT
    • Key/Button Function: Volume
    • Ergonomic Design: Yes
    • Keyboard Layout: Qwerty
    • Pointing Device / Manipulator: Mouse
    • Movement Detection Technology: Laser
    • Pointing Device Features: Scrolling Wheel, Wireless
  • Expansion / Connectivity:
    • Connections: 1 X USB - 4 Pin USB Type A
  • Miscellaneous:
    • Compliant Standards: ISO 9001, EN 60950, IEC 60950, FCC Part 15, RoHS, WEEE
    • Package Type: Retail
  • Battery:
    • Type: AA Type
    • Installed Qty: 4
    • Technology: Alkaline
Compatibility

The lapboard is compatible on Windows 2000 or higher, Mac OS X 10.1 or higher, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360, Boxee and Google TV.

The Phantom Lapboard was released for consumer sales in 2008 and is currently sold on the companies website, Amazon, NewEgg and NCIX.

Reception

White Version of the Lapboard

In April 2008, MaximumPC (a PC gaming website) published a hands-on with the lapboard, describing it as "extremely promising" although the supplied mouse "experienced signal dropouts at a distance of about 24 inches from the sensor". They were able to use their own wireless mice with more success. The preview states that the peripheral will be available in "June for $130 in limited quantities".[19]

On June 23, 2008, the Phantom Lapboard became available for sale on the company's official website.

On June 18, 2009, The Phantom Lapboard became available as part of a MainGear Computers bundle, with MainGear being the first company to offer the Lapboard as part of a bundle.

In July, 2009, the lapboard received Hardware Heaven's highest review award, the Gold Seal.[20]

On May 23, 2010 Phantom Entertainment launched a new website selling the lapboard.

In May 2010, About.com put the Phantom Lapboard in their Father's Day gift guide.[21]

On June 6, 2010 ZiggyTek named the Phantom Lapboard Gadget of The Week.[22]

On July 6, 2010 HotHardware.com gives the Phantom Lapboard 5 out of 5 stars in their product review.

On July 19, 2010 Mikinho from Missing Remote gave a positive review of the Phantom Lapboard.[23]

On October 19th, 2011 OnLiveFans.com says "The Phantom Lapboard just may be a perfect fit for OnLive gamers".

On October 27th, 2011 OnLiveInformer.com says "that the I feel the Phantom Lapboard is an essential purchase for anyone using OnLive".

References

  1. ^ Anderson, Nate (2007-06-03). "True Infinium stories: the $73 million (and counting) Phantom disaster". Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  2. ^ "Bachus Quits Infinium - Edge Magazine". Next-gen.biz. 2005-11-21. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
  3. ^ "SEC - Form 8k - Resignation of Greg Koler". 2008-07-29. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
  4. ^ Kahney, Leander (2005-01-07). "Vaporware Phantom Haunts Us All". Wired News. Archived from the original on 2006-01-31. Retrieved 2006-05-17.
  5. ^ Murph, Darren (2006-07-19). "Infinium changes name to Phantom Entertainment". Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  6. ^ "Surprise! Phantom Delays Game Service Again". 2006-09-12. Archived from the original on 2010-07-30. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  7. ^ "Infinium Labs finally releases the Phantom Lapboard - Boing Boing". Gadgets.boingboing.net. 2008-06-24. Retrieved 2011-06-28.
  8. ^ "Phantom Entertainment Signs with ProGames Network to Place Phantom Lapboard and Game Service Content in Hotels Worldwide". BusinessWire. 2007-08-22. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  9. ^ Morris, Chris (2005-05-19). "Whither the Phantom? After a big splash in 2004, Infinium Labs' on-demand game service is nowhere to be found at E3". CNN/Money. Retrieved 2006-05-17.
  10. ^ Biggs, John (2007-12-27). "Alienware no longer carrying Phantom Lapboard". CrunchGear. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
  11. ^ Morris, Chris (2006-05-16). "'Phantom' video game CEO charged with pump and dump scheme". CNN/Money. Retrieved 2006-05-17.
  12. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2006-02-21). "Infinium opens the books". GameSpot. Retrieved 2006-04-09.
  13. ^ a b Phantom transmogrifies - News at GameSpot
  14. ^ Phantom Entertainment
  15. ^ Sinclair, Brendan (2006-01-03). "Phantom Lapboard coming to PCs". GameSpot. Retrieved 2006-05-17.
  16. ^ Orry, James (2006-05-18). "Phantom Lapboard delayed". Pro-G. Retrieved 2006-05-18.
  17. ^ "Phantom Entertainment Signs with ProGames Network to Place Phantom Lapboard and Game Service Content in Hotels Worldwide". BusinessWire. 2007-08-22. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
  18. ^ "Phantom Lapboard - Gizmodo". 2008-04-25. Archived from the original on 2009-05-30. Retrieved 2008-08-18.
  19. ^ Maximum PC | First Look: The Phantom Lapboard
  20. ^ Hardware Heaven's Gold Seal
  21. ^ Father's Day Gift Guide from About.com
  22. ^ Gadget of The Week from ZiggyTek
  23. ^ Review: The Phantom Lapboard from Missing Remote

External links

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Phantom_Entertainment&oldid=482060220"