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Akamai First to Offer VPUs in the Cloud

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Akamai launches new category of cloud-based compute powered by NETINT video processing units

CAMBRIDGE, Mass., March 27, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Akamai (NASDAQ: AKAM), the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online, today launched Akamai Cloud Accelerated Compute Instances, a new compute category built on specialized computer chips designed to perform specific tasks more efficiently than general-purpose processors. The new instances are powered by NETINT video processing units (VPUs), NETINT’s proprietary hardware for media transcoding. Akamai is the first and only cloud provider to offer VPUs in the cloud.

NETINT VPUs are designed for workloads where minimizing the cost of delivering high-quality video streams is essential or where reducing energy consumption is a priority. Akamai’s accelerated instances are powered by Quadra T1U VPUs, a single-chip solution that supports encoding resolutions up to 8Kp60 in industry-standard formats including AV1, HEVC, and H.264 with 8/10 bit support, including HDR. As the highest-density hardware encoder available, the Quadra T1U can encode 32 live streams at 1080p30 broadcast quality, with the capacity scaling linearly for resolutions above or below HD.

The rise in live and on-demand video streaming, user-generated content, and video-driven social media has driven companies to look for optimized hardware and cloud solutions to improve application performance. However, transcoding-optimized cloud computing resources are rare. Previously, the only way to deploy NETINT’s VPU hardware has been to purchase it outright and run it on-premises or in a colocation facility. Akamai Accelerated Compute Instances are designed for media companies that are delivering video on demand and live streaming services, providing the scalability needed without inflating IT budgets.

“By bringing traditionally hardware-confined power to the cloud, we’re removing barriers that have held businesses back. Companies can now cut costs, scale seamlessly, and deliver better streaming experiences — solving a major industry challenge that’s been overlooked for too long,” said Jon Alexander, Vice President of Product Management at Akamai. “Being the first cloud provider to offer VPUs gives Akamai a new competitive edge to expand our long-existing relationships with our media partners.”

NETINT VPUs allow companies to reallocate their application’s CPUs by offloading compute-intensive video processing tasks to the VPU. A VPU architecture offers up to 20 times greater throughput than CPU-only solutions. This frees the CPU to do other things like dynamic packaging, de-interlacing, real-time speech-to-text captioning, software decoding for standards not supported in the VPU, and run popular applications like FFmpeg and GStreamer.

“VPUs are the ultimate cheat code for video streaming profitability,” said Randal Horne, Chief Revenue Officer, NETINT. “The expenses to deliver massive volumes of video content using traditional software encoders are crippling. NETINT is proud to be the VPU engine inside Akamai Accelerated Compute Instances, bringing up to 20 times the throughput at a tenth of the cost compared with traditional industry platforms. With Akamai Cloud, NETINT helps media companies reduce equipment investment and cut OPEX to meet their growth and profitability targets.”

Akamai is making a play to be the cloud for media and to capture areas of the market overlooked by hyperscalers. Akamai media services, trusted by all top 10 video streaming services, include solutions for contribution, transport, transcoding, packaging, digital rights management, ad insertion, and content security. With the first-time cloud availability of VPUs, transcoding-optimized NVIDIA GPUs, and industry-low egress costs, Akamai enables seamless performance at scale. Its cloud platform is open by design, giving customers control over every aspect of their workflow and access to a vibrant and growing third-party partner network. Media companies can choose from multiple software and partner options across each workflow step to transport, prepare, process, deliver, secure, and monetize digital content. The scale of Akamai’s massively distributed cloud gives it the unique ability to minimize egress fees and offer generous allowances, providing unmatched price-performance.

Akamai will show its range of cloud-based media delivery, computing, and security capabilities at the 2025 NAB Show in Las Vegas, April 6–9. Akamai will host visitors at the Akamai Lounge, located in the Las Vegas Convention Center on the second level of the West Hall, room W234LMR.

About Akamai
Akamai is the cybersecurity and cloud computing company that powers and protects business online. Our market-leading security solutions, superior threat intelligence, and global operations team provide defense in depth to safeguard enterprise data and applications everywhere. Akamai’s full-stack cloud computing solutions deliver performance and affordability on the world’s most distributed platform. Global enterprises trust Akamai to provide the industry-leading reliability, scale, and expertise they need to grow their business with confidence. Learn more at akamai.com and akamai.com/blog, or follow Akamai Technologies on X and LinkedIn.

About NETINT

NETINT is the creator of a new video processing solution called video processing unit, VPU, which is built on the company’s Codensity ASIC custom silicon. Designed to meet the needs of the most demanding video encoding workflows, the second-generation NETINT VPU, Quadra, received a Technical Emmy Award alongside Meta and Google in 2024 for its contribution to cloud video acceleration. Video engineers wanting to learn how VPUs can improve their platform, service efficiency, and cost are encouraged to visit netint.com.

Contacts
Akamai Media Relations
akamaipr@akamai.com

Akamai Investor Relations
invrel@akamai.com

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SOURCE Akamai Technologies, Inc.

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Cinema is Coming Home: Sony Electronics Expands its BRAVIA® TV Line-Up for the Most Authentic Cinematic Home Experience

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The expanded lineup hosts cutting-edge processing and contrast in large and small screen sizes to perfectly complement any room

SAN DIEGO, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Sony Electronics Inc. announced its new 2025 BRAVIA® TVs, bringing even more options to enjoy cinema at home and experience it the way filmmakers intended. The new BRAVIA 8 II, Sony’s new flagship QD-OLED and successor to the A95L, and the BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED TV leverage Sony’s signature cinematic excellence powered by the cutting-edge XR Processor with an AI scene-recognition system1. Also introduced is a new entry model BRAVIA 2 II. The models host a variety of screen sizes ranging from 98″ class in the new BRAVIA 5 to 43″ class in BRAVIA 2 II.

Additionally, Sony is introducing a new BRAVIA Theater home cinema system, soundbar and optional speakers as well as a new BRAVIA home cinema projector, further solidifying its commitment to expanding the line-up of BRAVIA covering a whole spectrum of home entertainment devices.

Sony’s wide variety of products such as digital cinema cameras and professional monitors have been widely utilized by film production professionals, allowing a unique understanding of the cinema industry and relationship with filmmakers. The new line-up of BRAVIA TVs, home audio, and home cinema projectors draws the connection between the filmmaker and the viewers, bringing the authentic cinematic experience to the home.

BRAVIA 8 II

The new flagship QD-OLED, BRAVIA 8 II, uses Sony’s proprietary XR Processor and the latest generation QD-OLED panel to deliver the creator’s vision with unparalleled fidelity. XR Triluminos Max™ enhances the display of more natural colors while preserving vivid brilliance, ensuring that each colors appears just right and optimizing the high color purity and wide color gamut of the QD-OLED panel. The XR Processor features an AI scene-recognition system that detects and analyzes the picture to portray the most realistic display. The BRAVIA 8 II has a high luminance panel and a temperature sensor with XR Contrast Booster that precisely controls light to show depth and detail. Acoustic Surface Audio +™ turns every part of the screen into a powerful speaker emitting sound from the right place in the scene to create a cinema-like experience. BRAVIA 8 II delivers perfect blacks and superior contrast with OLED technology for stunning visuals for an authentic cinematic experience at home.

BRAVIA 5

BRAVIA 5 Mini-LED hosts many of the state-of-the-art technologies and features of last year’s most advanced models into a more affordable, yet compelling audiovisual package. The LEDs are intelligently controlled by XR Backlight Master Drive, which shares its core technology with Sony’s professional monitors. This technology has precise local dimming for stunning contrast, beautifully capturing light and shadow with detailed gradation, from subtle facial shading to bold highlights. Available in five different screen sizes ranging from 98″ to 55″ class, BRAVIA 5 has several premium features which open the door to stunning pictures and room-filling sound that will make every movie night unforgettable.

BRAVIA 2 II

BRAVIA 2 II is a great starting point for anyone looking to get an exceptional viewing experience. This TV packs multiple essential features that make it a great companion for exciting film nights – even old HD favorites are upscaled to glorious 4K2, while Dolby Atmos® and DTS:X® compatibility provides immersive audio3. With Google TV at its core4, it’s always full of content and easy to use. The BRAVIA 2 II will be available in sizes ranging from 43″ to 75″ class.

Your favorite films and shows as the creator intended

BRAVIA is equipped with Studio Calibrated modes1 that reproduce the image quality intended by film content creators in a home setting. Netflix Adaptive Calibrated Mode, SONY PICTURES CORE Calibrated Mode, and Prime Video Calibrated Mode ensure that films and shows are adjusted to match the creators’ vision, delivering the intended picture quality for every studio.

Both BRAVIA TVs and BRAVIA Theater home audio products are compatible with IMAX® Enhanced5, an IMAX® and DTS partnership. These products have undergone a rigorous certification process to meet the standard required to deliver an unparalleled experience with SONY PICTURES CORE6 and select films on Disney+. Fans can enjoy premium quality picture and sound on BRAVIA TVs and BRAVIA Theater home audio products with IMAX Enhanced modei, including IMAX Enhanced sound with DTS:X® available on Disney+.

BRAVIA supports both Dolby Vision®7 and Dolby Atmos® for incredible brightness, sharper contrast, richer colors, and immersive sound across your favorite entertainment on Netflix, Disney+, and other popular streaming services.

Seamless integration with BRAVIA Theater home audio products

By combining a BRAVIA TV with a BRAVIA Theater home audio product, listeners can enjoy a seamless experience to focus on what matters the most. For maximum ease of use, the BRAVIA TV and BRAVIA Theater can be controlled from a smartphone with the BRAVIA Connect app8, where users can adjust volume and settings without using the remote or on-screen menu. BRAVIA TVs and BRAVIA Theater can also be controlled on one screen without switching the remotes. Alternatively, users can control features such as sound field and volume using just the TV remote. With an integrated User Interface (UI), soundbar sound settings automatically appear on the BRAVIA Quick Settings menu.

BRAVIA and sustainability

Reduced power consumption:
BRAVIA 5 uses Sony’s proprietary signal processing to maximize the characteristics of the panel device, automatically optimizing brightness for each scene while achieving both high brightness and low power consumption.

Eco Dashboard 2 allows you to easily change energy settings, individually or in one go. Eco Dashboard 2 puts everything conveniently in one place and can even monitor your power consumption for optimum efficiency.

Use of recycled materials:
Recycled materials including Sony original SORPLAS™, plastic, steel, and aluminum are used for a variety of components such as the speaker box or bezel9.  

Click here for more on BRAVIA and sustainability

BRAVIA and accessibility

Vision and action assist:
The Talkback screen reader function allows users to check program listings and set up the TV without looking at the screen. The volume and speed of talkback voice can be adjusted. Users can also control the BRAVIA Theater soundbar or system from the BRAVIA Connect App7, which supports the screen reader as well. Additionally, the tactile dots on the HDMI and S-Center terminalsi of BRAVIA TV match those found on the BRAVIA Theater products to simplify the process of locating and connecting ports for a smooth setup experience.

Voice commands can be used to operate the BRAVIA TV, such as turning the power on/off and adjusting the volume. BRAVIA TVs are also equipped with shortcut commands that allow you to quickly and easily turn on/off accessibility features, allowing both those who require them and those who do not to use the same TV set without stress.

Click here for more on BRAVIA and accessibility

Product Information
For more information on the BRAVIA 8 II please visit https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/k65xr80m2 https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/k65xr80m2. Pricing and availability will be shared Spring 2025.

For more information on the BRAVIA 5 please visit https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/k98xr50. Pricing and availability will be shared Spring 2025.

For more information on the BRAVIA 2 II please visit https://electronics.sony.com/tv-video/televisions/all-tvs/p/k65s20m2. Pricing and availability will be shared Spring 2025.

About Sony Electronics Inc.
Sony Electronics is a subsidiary of Sony Corporation of America and an affiliate of Sony Group Corporation, one of the most comprehensive entertainment companies in the world, with a portfolio that encompasses electronics, music, motion pictures, mobile, gaming, robotics and financial services. Headquartered in San Diego, California, Sony Electronics is a leader in electronics for the consumer and professional markets. Operations include research and development, engineering, sales, marketing, distribution and customer service. Sony Electronics creates products that innovate and inspire generations, such as the award-winning Alpha Interchangeable Lens Cameras and revolutionary high-resolution audio products. Sony is also a leading manufacturer of end-to-end solutions from 4K professional broadcast and A/V equipment to industry leading 4K and 8K Ultra HD TVs. Visit http://www.sony.com/news for more information.

1 Available in BRAVIA 8 II and BRAVIA 5 2025 TV models.

2 Upscaled, simulated and enhanced 4K images will vary based on source content.

3 Dolby Atmos and DTS:X content compatible with streaming services or compatible content device connected via HDMI input (sold separately).

4 User must accept Google Terms of Service (http://www.google.com/policies/terms/), Google Play Terms of Service (https://play.google.com/intl/en-US_us/about/play-terms/index.html), and Privacy Policy (http://www.google.com/policies/privacy/) to use this product. User consents to a mandatory software update at set-up and such other additional updates that may be required in the future by Google and/or Sony. User must connect to a Google Account to use certain advertised features, including voice to activate linked apps, and install certain apps and operating software during setup. Use of this product without connecting to a Google Account allows only basic features and certain apps. Features and specifications are subject to change without notice. Wireless connectivity requires 802.11 home network (802.11n recommended). Network services, content, operating system, and software of this product may be subject to separate or third-party terms and conditions and changed, interrupted, or discontinued at any time an

5 Compatibility varies by model. IMAX Enhanced content enables full IMAX Enhanced experience with compatible streaming services such as SONY PICTURES CORE (formerly BRAVIA CORE), or compatible content device connected via HDMI input (sold separately).

6 Purchase an eligible TV and register for SONY PICTURES CORE™ by February 23, 2028 to be eligible for promotion offers. Available movies subject to change. Terms and conditions apply, for full details see https://sony.net/sony-pictures-core. Network services, content, and operating system and software of product may be subject to separate or third-party terms and conditions and changed, interrupted, or discontinued at any time and may require fees, registration, and credit card information.

7 Available in BRAVIA 8 II and BRAVIA 5 2025 TV models. For specific model compatibility, refer to the Sony website.

8 Download app at Google Play and the App Store. Network services, content, and operating system and software subject to terms and conditions and may be changed, interrupted or discontinued at any time and may require fees, registration and credit card information.

9 Plastic total including SORPLAS: approx. 17%(55″ BRAVIA 8Ⅱ), steel: approx. 5%(55″ BRAVIA 5), aluminum: approx. 11% (55″ BRAVIA 5).

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/cinema-is-coming-home-sony-electronics-expands-its-bravia-tv-line-up-for-the-most-authentic-cinematic-home-experience-302417863.html

SOURCE Sony Electronics, Inc.

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Vialytics Rethinks Digital Road Management

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EDISON, N.J., April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Road maintenance spending often reveals significant disparities between urban and rural areas. Rural counties, despite their lower population density, tend to spend more per capita on road infrastructure while facing lower maintenance costs per mile. These challenges are compounded by understaffed teams and manual processes, leading to aging infrastructure, reactive repairs, and inefficiencies in resource allocation.

To address these issues, vialytics introduces an intelligent digital toolbox designed to empower municipalities with data-driven solutions for efficient road management.

Data: The Cornerstone of Effective Road Management

Reliable data is critical for prioritizing repairs, planning investments, and justifying decisions to stakeholders. Patrick Glaser, CEO and Co-founder of vialytics, emphasizes:
“The lack of financial resources is only part of the problem. Without accurate data and streamlined processes, municipalities struggle to take effective action. Our system provides visibility into road conditions, enabling proactive planning and sustainable interventions.”

Modular Solutions Tailored for Municipalities

Vialytics has developed a flexible software platform powered by AI to simplify road management processes. Initially launched in 2018 as a pothole detection app, vialytics now leads the global market with over 600 municipalities across seven countries utilizing its tools.
The system offers six customizable modules:

Documentation: Legal inspections with geotagging and timestamping.Work Order Management Plus: Comprehensive intervention tracking from planning to execution.Pavement Copilot: Automated road condition analysis using AI for objective repair prioritization.Roadway Asset Copilot: AI-driven analysis of traffic signs for faster interventions and greater road safety.Planning Copilot: Strategic budget planning with AI assistance for cost-effective decisions.Integration Plus: Seamless integration with GIS systems for collaborative workflows.

Municipalities can tailor configurations based on their network size and specific needs.

A Path Toward Sustainable Road Management

Vialytics enables municipalities to optimize human and financial resources while extending the lifespan of their road networks. By leveraging automated image collection and AI recognition algorithms, the system identifies priorities, documents decisions, and demonstrates the impact of maintenance efforts. Andy Kozma, CRO of vialytics Americas, states: “It’s time to move from reactive firefighting to proactive management based on reliable data. Our system helps municipalities maintain their infrastructure responsibly and efficiently—regardless of budget constraints.”

About Vialytics

Founded in 2018, vialytics specializes in AI-powered road management systems hosted on the cloud. Its solutions reduce administrative burdens while enhancing safety, transparency, and sustainability in public works. Today, vialytics serves over 600 municipalities worldwide.

For more information: www.vialytics.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/vialytics-rethinks-digital-road-management-302418755.html

SOURCE Vialytics Americas, Inc.

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New Research from CreativeX Reveals $47.8 Billion in Potential Advertising Efficiencies

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New research from CreativeX reveals that improvements in the Creative Quality Score* (CQS) could unlock up to $47.8 billion in media efficiencies across the advertising industry.A 10 percentage point increase in CQS is linked to a 6.3% reduction in Cost Per Completed View (CPCV). The average Fortune 500 advertiser could save $7 million annually—equivalent to a Super Bowl ad’s worth of spend—by improving their Creative Quality Score.

LONDON and NEW YORK, April 2, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — New research from CreativeX, the technology company powering creative decision-making with data for brands like Diageo, Bayer, and Nestlé, demonstrates the financial opportunity of optimizing creative in an AI-driven advertising ecosystem.

The study, which analyzed 1.8 million video ads spanning $2.4 billion in media spend and 1.6 trillion impressions across 2024, found that many brands aren’t building their creative for digital environments. This oversight results in wasted spend, lower engagement, and weaker advertising performance.

With AI increasingly automating media buying and creative selection, brands lack visibility into how their creative is prioritized—or deprioritized—by ad platforms. The research found that brands investing in creative excellence saw measurable performance gains: every 10 percentage point improvement in Creative Quality Score (CQS) led to a 6.3% reduction in Cost Per Completed View (CPCV). If the industry doubled down on putting media spend behind creatives with a high CQS, the potential efficiencies would amount to $47.8 billion in savings.

For the average Fortune 500 advertiser spending $50 million annually on digital media, these insights translate to a $7 million cost-saving opportunity—enough to fund a Super Bowl ad.

The study assessed adherence to six validated creative guidelines defining digital suitability, developed in collaboration with platform partners, third-party researchers, and industry leaders. This standardized 0-100% metric, known as the Creative Quality Score, provides brands with a clear benchmark for creative excellence.

As AI continues to shape the future of advertising, this research underscores a crucial point: in an age of automation, creative remains one of the most powerful—and controllable—drivers of media efficiency.

For more insights, download the full Case for Creative report.

*Creative Quality Score: Measures an ad’s digital suitability, indicating whether it meets platform-validated creative best practices for its intended placement.

About CreativeX

CreativeX provides the foundation for data-powered creative decisions, giving marketers a single source of truth to quantify, optimize, and scale creative excellence. Trusted by brands like Heineken, Bayer, and Unilever, CreativeX integrates directly into production and media workflows, connecting creative decisions to measurable business outcomes. Its AI-powered platform analyzes millions of ads, delivering benchmarks and actionable insights marketers use to optimize content across channels, scale effective strategies, and increase return on creative investments.

www.creativex.com 

Press enquiries:

Email: press@creativex.com
Tel: 07580 073169

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-research-from-creativex-reveals-47-8-billion-in-potential-advertising-efficiencies-302418754.html

SOURCE CreativeX

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