Phantom Entertainment
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| Type | Private |
|---|---|
| Industry | Internet TV, Media Center & Video game consoles and peripherals |
| Headquarters | Ridgewood, NJ |
| Key people | John Landino, CEO |
| Products | Phantom Lapboard |
| Revenue | NA, Private Company |
| Employees | 3, as of July 2007 [1] |
Phantom Entertainment, Inc., formerly known as Infinium Labs, is a company that was developing a new video game console called the Phantom, which went through several revisions before being cancelled in February 2006 due to funding issues. 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 (founder of the XBOX). In September 2006, the company, which by then had changed its name from Infinium Labs,[2] promised to introduce its "Lapboard" product in November 2006, with a gaming service to follow in March 2007.[3] In June 2008, the company released their Lapboard product.[4]
Infinium was founded by Tim Roberts in 2002. Roberts resigned in the summer of 2005 as the CEO and remained 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[5]) and John Landino, who was appointed CEO and Interim Chief Financial Officer in July 2008.[6]
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.
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.[7] Alienware also never produced their Media Center that the Lapboard was to be paired with.
In August 2007, Phantom Entertainment signed a deal with ProGames network to provide Lapboards and "Game Service Content" in hotels worldwide.[8]
On June 15, 2009, Phantom Entertainment shipped its first large production order of their Phantom Lapboards from China with a US arrival date of July 9, 2009.
The Phantom Lapboard received Hardware Heavens highest review the Gold Seal in 2009.
In 2009 Phantom Entertainment became a private company and has focused on producing its Phantom Lapboard.
In May 2010, About.com puts the Phantom Lapboard in their Father's Day Gift Guide.
On 6/6/2010 ZiggyTek awarded the Phantom Lapboard the Gadget of the Week
On July 6th, 2010 Hothardware.com gives the Phantom Lapboard 5 out of 5 stars in thier product review.
[edit] References
- ^ Anderson, Nate (2007-06-03). "True Infinium stories: the $73 million (and counting) Phantom disaster". http://arstechnica.com/articles/culture/true-infinium-stories-the-73-million-phantom.ars. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ Murph, Darren (2006-07-19). "Infinium changes name to Phantom Entertainment". http://www.engadget.com/2006/07/19/infinium-changes-name-to-phantom-entertainment/. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Surprise! Phantom Delays Game Service Again". 2006-09-12. http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,2015342,00.asp?kc=ETRSS02129TX1K0000532. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ http://gadgets.boingboing.net/2008/06/24/infinium-labs-finall.html
- ^ Svensson, Christian (2005-11-21). "Bachus Quits Infinium". http://www.next-gen.biz/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=1696&Itemid=2. Retrieved 2006-07-23.
- ^ "SEC - Form 8k - Resignation of Greg Koler". 2008-07-29. http://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1145019/000114420408042568/v121234_8k.htm. Retrieved 2008-09-05.
- ^ Biggs, John (2007-12-27). "Alienware no longer carrying Phantom Lapboard". CrunchGear. http://www.crunchgear.com/2007/12/27/alienware-no-longer-carrying-phantom-lapboard/. Retrieved 2008-10-01.
- ^ "Phantom Entertainment Signs with ProGames Network to Place Phantom Lapboard and Game Service Content in Hotels Worldwide". BusinessWire. 2007-08-22. http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20070822005741/en. Retrieved 2007-08-23.
