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PALM BEACH, Fla.--(BW HealthWire)--Feb. 5, 2002-- Applied Digital Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq: ADSX - news), an advanced technology development company, reported today that VeriChip - its miniaturized, implantable identification chip - was featured last night on The O'Reilly Factor, the popular, prime time Fox News talk show.
Mr. O'Reilly opened the segment about VeriChip by suggesting this technology could be ``the wave of the future.''
After hearing about VeriChip's life-saving features, Mr. O'Reilly commented on the air that this ``makes sense to me.'' Later in the program he told his viewing audience, ``$199 you can have a little chip in you and everyone will know if you faint, who you are and what the deal is.''
Two guests appeared on the program representing Applied Digital Solutions: Dr. Keith Bolton, Chief Technology Officer; and Dr. Richard Seelig, Director of VeriChip's Medical Application's project. Dr. Seelig is the only person in the world with two VeriChips implanted in him - one in his arm and one in his hip.
The VeriChip story on The O'Reilly Factor follows a number of high-profile interviews and events that have put VeriChip increasingly in the media spotlight. For example, on January 29, 2002, Dr. Keith Bolton gave a ``guest lecture'' at Harvard Business School focusing on Applied Digital Solutions' advanced technologies, including VeriChip. Dr. Bolton said afterwards that faculty members assured him that these technologies would become the subject of an ongoing case study in the coming years designed to understand their evolution and impact on the global marketplace.
While in Boston, Dr. Bolton taped an interview for later broadcast on Marketplace, the business-focused program on National Public Radio. On January 30, 2002, VeriChip was featured on Tech TV. The very next day, January 31, 2002, the ABC Family channel carried an in-depth story about VeriChip.
Since its announcement on December 19, 2001, VeriChip has captured enormous media attention in the U.S. and worldwide. Articles about the technology have appeared in leading publications, including the Washington Post, the Los Angeles Times, The Chicago Tribune, the Associated Press and Reuters. Company executives have appeared on NBC's Today Show, CNN with Paula Zahn, CNN Headline News, National Public Radio, the BBC, CBS Radio, and a variety of ABC, CBS and NBC affiliates, among many others.
Looking ahead, on February 10, 2002, Applied Digital Solutions' advanced technologies will be featured on ABC News in Chicago and on Nick News (Nickelodeon). A VeriChip story is expected to air soon on CBS Weekend Evening News and on a number of CBS affiliates, including Miami and Philadelphia. The company is actively working with CNN Headline News and the BBC in London on upcoming technology stories. Print stories are expected to appear in the near future in a variety of publications, including the New York Times, Wired News, Business 2.0 and ADDitude Magazine.
Commenting on the continued media coverage, Richard J. Sullivan, Chairman and CEO stated: ``We are very pleased to hear the phrase `Wave of the Future' associated with VeriChip. The level and extent of media interest have truly been overwhelming. This extensive coverage has brought our products to the attention of potential customers and partners around the world. Inquiries are pouring in and high-level discussions are proceeding rapidly. At Applied Digital, we recognize that the future is now! We will quickly seize substantial revenue opportunities for VeriChip and our other advanced technologies developed by our Research Group.''
How VeriChip Works
VeriChip is an implantable, radio frequency device about the size of the point of a typical ballpoint pen. Each VeriChip will contain a unique identification number and other critical data. Utilizing an external scanner, radio frequency energy passes through the skin energizing the dormant VeriChip, which then emits a radio frequency signal transmitting the identification number and other data contained in the VeriChip. The scanner will display the identification number, but the VeriChip data can also be transmitted, via telephone or the Internet, to an FDA compliant, secure data-storage site. It will then be accessible by authorized personnel. Inserting the VeriChip device is a simple procedure performed in an outpatient, office setting. It requires only local anesthesia, a tiny incision and perhaps a small adhesive bandage. Sutures are not necessary.
Medical Device Identification
Hundreds of thousands of medical devices are surgically implanted into patients every year. Examples of these life-saving and life-enhancing devices include pacemakers, artificial joints, orthopedic hardware, heart valves, and medication pumps. After insertion, these devices often require adjustment, repair, replacement, or even recall. VeriChip, inserted subdermally just above the implanted medical device, provides patients, medical providers, and manufacturers with a rapid, secure and non-invasive method for obtaining medically critical information about the device. VeriChip is a ready source of data about the patient's name and condition as well as the medical device's original components, required settings and other essential parameters. Future applications may include full medical record archival/retrieval for emergency medical care.
Emergency or Security-related Identification
Personal identity verification technology has gained considerable interest recently. A great deal of focus has been trained on so-called ``biometric'' technologies - which identify individuals by their unique biological or physical characteristics, such as fingerprints, voiceprints, retina characteristics, and face recognition points. VeriChip, by contrast, relies on imbedded, tamper-proof, microchip technology, which allows for non-invasive access to identification, medical and other critical data. Use of advanced VeriChip technology means that the threat of theft, loss, duplication or counterfeiting of data is substantially diminished or eliminated. Specific application areas include: enhancement of present forms of identification, search and rescue, and various law enforcement and defense uses.
About Applied Digital Solutions, Inc.
Applied Digital Solutions is an advanced digital technology development company that focuses on a range of early warning alert, miniaturized power sources and security monitoring systems combined with the comprehensive data management services required to support them. Through its Advanced Wireless unit, the Company specializes in security-related data collection, value-added data intelligence and complex data delivery systems for a wide variety of end users including commercial operations, government agencies and consumers. For more information, visit the company's website at http://www.adsx.com/.
Statements about the Company's future expectations, including future revenues
and earnings, and all other statements in this press release other than
historical facts, are 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of Section
27A of the Securities Act of 1933, Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934, and as that term is defined in the Private Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
The Company intends that such forward-looking statements involve risks and
uncertainties and are subject to change at any time, and the Company's actual
results could differ materially from expected results. The Company undertakes no
obligation to update forward-looking statements to reflect subsequently
occurring events or circumstances.
Applied Digital Solutions
Investor Contact: Robert Jackson, 561/805-8042
rjackson@adsx.com
Media Contact: Matthew Cossolotto, 914/245-9721
matthew@ovations.com
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