Digital television guide expert, GIST Communications, Inc. has begun a commercial offering of UGuide^TM: a market-shaping, mobile EPG that analyzes TV viewers' program preferences, then delivers personalized recommendations directly to the cell phone or other mobile device. Gist's UGuide gives viewers true remote control, enabling them to use cell phones to schedule recordings on PVR's at home - powerful, easy to use technology that delivers effective results. The UGuide can be deployed as a resident application on a cell phone or PDA, or as a web-based product.

The patent-pending, user-friendly service is easily installed on mobile phones globally and provides personalized recommendations based on users' individual profiles. Then, with a simple click on UGuide's record button, consumers can remotely program their recording device. The service distributes recording instructions through any digital distribution platform such as cable, satellite or the Internet. TV viewers can also check their local TV programming, and determine their personal and private viewing interests both with their mobile phone and via the UGuide website.

Jim Cantalini, CEO of GIST states: "Our customer research and interaction showed us the market's need for easy, remote programming of recordings for consumers' home viewing enjoyment. That insight has driven our product development and global interest. We know that IBC is the best possible environment to launch and showcase the premiere portable and remote global programming service. This distinctive development by GIST's team helps mobile operators to create a bridge between the mobile phone and the living room TV. With UGuide, GIST's strength in delivering advanced digital media and TV program guides is underscored."

GIST is in advanced discussions with leading software vendors, hardware manufacturers and mobile phone and platform operators in the U.S. and Europe, the details of which will be discussed at the International Broadcast Conference (IBC). The "Look & Feel" of the UGuide can be easily and individually adapted to the design requirements of the carrier or platform operator. The product can be delivered as a stand-alone service or within a broader offering through partners.

UGuide is the next step in digital TV program guide concept that has been successfully deployed in Europe by GIST with leading program press publishing houses and manufacturers. It combines the excellence of up-to-date editorial quality program content with an innovative recommendation engine and truly intuitive usability. "UGuide offers a direct added value to the viewer and a powerful selling - and up-selling - proposition for operators and hardware manufacturers", observed Ned Wiley, Vice President Sales & Marketing and responsible for international deployment.

GIST will be showing products with multiple partners at IBC: Alticast - booth #1.134, NDS - booth #1.171 and IBC's Mobile Zone # M132.