• Universal Remote Control to intro Impulse-5 remote at Cable Show
By Traci Patterson

Universal Remote Control (URC) will introduce its new cable-specific Impulse-5 Radio Frequency (RF) remote control at The Cable Show ’08 in New Orleans, set for May 18-20.

The five-function Impulse-5 utilizes RF technology to free the cable customer from the need to point the remote at a set-top box (STB) or any other remote-controllable home entertainment device, the company said. With the new remote, users can control A/V components – including STBs – through cabinet doors, walls and floors from more than 100 feet away.

And the Impulse-5 is tru2way-ready. It features a 64K chip pre-loaded with a code library, factory and operator-programmable macro keys, and a “sure-touch” cursor pad. The remote also features multiple STB interoperability, which ensures that it will interchangeably operate all Motorola, Scientific Atlanta/Cisco, Pioneer, Pace Micro and Samsung digital STBs, regardless of factory-programmed default, the company said.

• Yahoo’s shares dip after Microsoft abandons bid
By Mike Robuck

Yahoo’s shares dropped almost 16 percent in late-morning trading today on the heels of Microsoft’s decision to abandon its $47.5-billion takeover bid.

Microsoft first made a pitch for Yahoo on Jan. 31 (story here), but last week Microsoft increased its offer from $29.40 per share to $33 before walking away from its bid on Saturday.

On Friday, Yahoo’s shares were trading at $28.67 when the market closed, but in late-morning trading today they were at $23.98. Microsoft’s shares increased by almost 2 percent this morning, to $29.81.

• SMC Networks hires Saccacio as director of sales for western U.S.
By Mike Robuck

SMC Networks Inc. today announced the appointment of Anthony Saccacio to director of sales for the western region of the U.S. for its SMC Broadband Business Development Group.

Saccacio brings eight years of networking products sales experience to the service provider and OEM markets, with an emphasis on cable customers. In his new job, Saccacio will be supporting all of SMC's ILEC, CLEC and cable customers in the western 15 states.

More  Broadband Direct:

• Camiant unveils broadband consumption tool 

• WSJ: DT considering bid for Sprint Nextel 

• AdGorilla announces creation of AdGorillai 

• Motorola upgrades software for CherryPicker platform 

• InGrid's home security offering selected by Blue Ridge 

• ZeeVee completes undisclosed 2nd funding round 

• Broadband Briefs for 5/5/08