Cell phone interference derails Adobe CS3 launch
Ranking high on the list of a demo guy's worst nightmares, Adobe Systems' Tuesday announcement of its Creative Suite 3 software was derailed for more than 20 minutes by a technology glitch.
The display showing the company's demonstrations was garbled by static, and Adobe's Johnny Loiacono, who led the presentation, resorted to audience Q&A, chatting about the weather, and eventually calling an intermission while technicians tackled the problem. During the problem, audience members milled at the New York event and Webcast watchers were treated to groovy music.
When they presentation resumed, Loiacono blamed the problem on interference from somebody's mobile phone. "Someone in the room had their cell phone on. That's what caused the problem," he said.
Stephen Shankland writes about a wide range of technology and products, but has a particular focus on browsers and digital photography. He joined CNET News in 1998 and since then also has covered Google, Yahoo, servers, supercomputing, Linux and open-source software, and science. E-mail Stephen, or follow him on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/stshank. 
