Phantom Entertainment
Encyclopedia
Phantom Entertainment, Inc. (formerly known as Infinium Labs until 2006) is a company making keyboards, founded in 2002 by Tim Roberts.
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
.
In September 2006, the company, which by then had changed its name from Infinium Labs, promised to introduce its "Lapboard" product in November 2006, with a gaming service to follow in March 2007. In June 2008, the company released their Lapboard product.
In August 2007, Phantom Entertainment signed a deal with ProGames network to provide Lapboards and "Game Service Content" in hotels worldwide.
In 2009 Phantom Entertainment became a private company and has focused on producing its Phantom Lapboard.
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
.
) and Kevin Bachus (founder of the Xbox
).
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. 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".
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. Alienware also never produced their Media Center that the Lapboard was to be paired with.
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.
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.
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.
In 2010, a new model of the Phantom Lapboard was released, which is designed to work with Internet TV, gaming and media centers.
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.
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. 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. The keyboard was then delayed until November 2006. On August 22, 2007, Phantom Entertainment signed a deal with ProGames network to provide Lapboards and "Game Service Content" in hotels worldwide. The keyboard was finally released on June 23, 2008, two years after its originally planned release date.
Specifications:
Compatability
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.
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.
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.
On June 6, 2010 ZiggyTek named the Phantom Lapboard Gadget of The Week.
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.
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) and John Landino, who was appointed CEO and Interim Chief Financial Officer in July 2008.In 2002, the startup company
Startup company
A startup company or startup is a company with a limited operating history. These companies, generally newly created, are in a phase of development and research for markets...
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
ONLINE
ONLINE is a magazine for information systems first published in 1977. The publisher Online, Inc. was founded the year before. In May 2002, Information Today, Inc. acquired the assets of Online Inc....
subscription.
The press release contained no specific information, but did include a computer-generated prototype
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
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
IGN
IGN is an entertainment website that focuses on video games, films, music and other media. IGN's main website comprises several specialty sites or "channels", each occupying a subdomain and covering a specific area of entertainment...
and Slashdot
Slashdot
Slashdot is a technology-related news website owned by Geeknet, Inc. The site, which bills itself as "News for Nerds. Stuff that Matters", features user-submitted and ‑evaluated current affairs news stories about science- and technology-related topics. Each story has a comments section...
and the comic strip Penny Arcade
Penny Arcade (webcomic)
Penny Arcade is a webcomic focused on video games and video game culture, written by Jerry Holkins and illustrated by Mike Krahulik. The comic debuted in 1998 on the website loonygames.com. Since then, Holkins and Krahulik have established their own site, which is typically updated with a new comic...
. In an episode that gained wide publicity, the hardware and gaming site HardOCP
HardOCP
[H]ard|OCP is an online magazine that offers news, reviews, and editorials that relate to computer hardware, software, modding, overclocking and cooling, owned and operated by Kyle Bennett, who started the website in 1997.- Product Reviews :[H]ard|OCP is known for reviewing products and...
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
Wired News
Wired News is an online technology news website, formerly known as HotWired, that split off from Wired magazine when the magazine was purchased by Condé Nast Publishing in the 1990s. Wired News was owned by Lycos not long after the split, until Condé Nast purchased Wired News on July 11, 2006...
.
In September 2006, the company, which by then had changed its name from Infinium Labs, promised to introduce its "Lapboard" product in November 2006, with a gaming service to follow in March 2007. In June 2008, the company released their Lapboard product.
In August 2007, Phantom Entertainment signed a deal with ProGames network to provide Lapboards and "Game Service Content" in hotels worldwide.
In 2009 Phantom Entertainment became a private company and has focused on producing its Phantom Lapboard.
Phantom console
The Phantom (was also called The Phantom) was a cancelled video game consoleVideo game console
A video game console is an interactive entertainment computer or customized computer system that produces a video display signal which can be used with a display device to display a video game...
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
Content delivery
Content delivery describes the delivery of media content such as audio, video, computer software and video games over a delivery medium such as broadcasting or the Internet.Content delivery has two parts:...
service instead of the discs
Disk storage
Disk storage or disc storage is a general category of storage mechanisms, in which data are digitally recorded by various electronic, magnetic, optical, or mechanical methods on a surface layer deposited of one or more planar, round and rotating disks...
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
Prototype
A prototype is an early sample or model built to test a concept or process or to act as a thing to be replicated or learned from.The word prototype derives from the Greek πρωτότυπον , "primitive form", neutral of πρωτότυπος , "original, primitive", from πρῶτος , "first" and τύπος ,...
.
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 DirectXDirectX
Microsoft DirectX is a collection of application programming interfaces for handling tasks related to multimedia, especially game programming and video, on Microsoft platforms. Originally, the names of these APIs all began with Direct, such as Direct3D, DirectDraw, DirectMusic, DirectPlay,...
) and Kevin Bachus (founder of the Xbox
Xbox
The Xbox is a sixth-generation video game console manufactured by Microsoft. It was released on November 15, 2001 in North America, February 22, 2002 in Japan, and March 14, 2002 in Australia and Europe and is the predecessor to the Xbox 360. It was Microsoft's first foray into the gaming console...
).
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. There were hints from Kevin Bachus, former Infinium CEO, that the Phantom would be released around the same time as the Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
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".
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
Alienware
Alienware is an American computer hardware subsidary of Dell, Inc. It mainly assembles third party components into desktops and laptops with custom enclosures for high-performance gaming. These products also support graphically intense applications such as video editing, simulation, and audio editing...
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. 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
Pump and dump
"Pump and dump" is a form of microcap stock fraud that involves artificially inflating the price of an owned stock through false and misleading positive statements, in order to sell the cheaply purchased stock at a higher price....
" scheme in promoting the Phantom console in 2004.
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.
Lapboard
The Phantom Lapboard is a wirelessWireless
Wireless telecommunications is the transfer of information between two or more points that are not physically connected. Distances can be short, such as a few meters for television remote control, or as far as thousands or even millions of kilometers for deep-space radio communications...
keyboard
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
by Phantom Entertainment
Phantom Entertainment
Phantom Entertainment, Inc. is a company making keyboards, founded in 2002 by Tim Roberts.-Company history:...
. 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
Personal computer
A personal computer is any general-purpose computer whose size, capabilities, and original sales price make it useful for individuals, and which is intended to be operated directly by an end-user with no intervening computer operator...
video games while the console has been cancelled.
In 2010, a new model of the Phantom Lapboard was released, which is designed to work with Internet TV, gaming and media centers.
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. http://phantom.net/content/customerCare/index.html 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
Alienware
Alienware is an American computer hardware subsidary of Dell, Inc. It mainly assembles third party components into desktops and laptops with custom enclosures for high-performance gaming. These products also support graphically intense applications such as video editing, simulation, and audio editing...
for their Media Center PCs, and a manufacturing contract has been signed to fulfill their order with the manufacturer Itron Technology.
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. 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. The keyboard was then delayed until November 2006. On August 22, 2007, Phantom Entertainment signed a deal with ProGames network to provide Lapboards and "Game Service Content" in hotels worldwide. The keyboard was finally released on June 23, 2008, 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 2.4ghz 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
Compatability
The lapboard is compatible on Windows 2000
Windows 2000
Windows 2000 is a line of operating systems produced by Microsoft for use on personal computers, business desktops, laptops, and servers. Windows 2000 was released to manufacturing on 15 December 1999 and launched to retail on 17 February 2000. It is the successor to Windows NT 4.0, and is the...
or higher, Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
10.1 or higher, PlayStation 3
PlayStation 3
The is the third home video game console produced by Sony Computer Entertainment and the successor to the PlayStation 2 as part of the PlayStation series. The PlayStation 3 competes with Microsoft's Xbox 360 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Xbox 360
Xbox 360
The Xbox 360 is the second video game console produced by Microsoft and the successor to the Xbox. The Xbox 360 competes with Sony's PlayStation 3 and Nintendo's Wii as part of the seventh generation of video game consoles...
, Boxee
BOXEE
Boxee is a cross-platform freeware HTPC software application with a 10-foot user interface and social networking features designed for the living-room TV...
and Google TV
Google TV
Google TV is a Smart TV platform from Google. It was announced on May 20, 2010, at Google’s Google I/O event and was co-developed by Google, Intel, Sony and Logitech...
.
The Phantom Lapboard was released for consumer sales in 2008 and is currently sold on the companies website, Amazon, NewEgg and NCIX.
Reception
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".http://www.maximumpc.com/article/first_look_the_phantom_lapboardOn 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.
On May 23, 2010 Phantom Entertainment launched a new website selling the lapboard.
In May 2010, About.com
About.com
About.com is an online source for original information and advice. It is written in English, and is aimed primarily at North Americans. It is owned by The New York Times Company....
put the Phantom Lapboard in their Father's Day
Father's Day
Father's Day is a celebration honoring fathers and celebrating fatherhood, paternal bonds, and the influence of fathers in society. Many countries celebrate it on the third Sunday of June but it is also celebrated widely on other days...
gift guide.
On June 6, 2010 ZiggyTek named the Phantom Lapboard Gadget of The Week.
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.
External links
- Phantom Entertainment Official Website
- Official Phantom Entertainment Blog
- Phantom: Rewound – Editorial feature with a history of The Phantom.
- Video Interview of Kevin Bachus by Marketwatch
- Gizmodo.com - Lapboard