VoIP News
December 27, 2006
Gone fishing has taken on a whole new meaning (and spelling) in this age of technology. Internet “phishing” is the term that has been devised for those sending out mass amounts of emails to catch their victims. Now the phishers have started casting wider nets – seeking to use VOIP and text messaging to hook their prey. Voice over ...
Phishers target VoIP
by Brian TurnerGone fishing has taken on a whole new meaning (and spelling) in this age of technology. Internet “phishing” is the term that has been devised for those sending out mass amounts of emails to catch their victims. Now the phishers have started casting wider nets – seeking to use VOIP and text messaging to hook their prey. Voice over ...
HDTV – too much detail?
by Brian TurnerThe clear, crisp life like quality of HDTV is enough to make most people cringe, but add to it the jumbo sized pictures that many of the HDTV sets carry, and ever wrinkle, line, or blemish will be blazing to the world. Not exactly the “top model” images most television personalities are always trying to attain. The technology has proven ...
December 26, 2006
It’s time to buy your first high definition television – but it’s all so confusing, especially with retailers and manufacturers offering consumers HD-ready, HD monitor, EDTV, and HDTV sets. Trouble is, get any of these wrong, and you could find yourself paying extra - but with no HDTV. EDTV EDTV stands for Enhanced Definition Television – and it is just what it ...
HDTV pitfall terms
by Brian TurnerIt’s time to buy your first high definition television – but it’s all so confusing, especially with retailers and manufacturers offering consumers HD-ready, HD monitor, EDTV, and HDTV sets. Trouble is, get any of these wrong, and you could find yourself paying extra - but with no HDTV. EDTV EDTV stands for Enhanced Definition Television – and it is just what it ...
Digital programming hots up
by Brian TurnerCable operators are gearing up to offer consumers more bang for their buck. The wave of the future seems to be focused mainly in the directions of Internet and IPTV. The tuner systems, referred to as set top boxes, are also on the radar of those companies intent on breaking into the new technology markets. With digitalization, these ...
December 23, 2006
Seasons greetings to all our members and guests! May your holiday period be happy and safe.Why not check out the January 2007 issue of What Satellite and Digital TV magazine to see our forum feature in the Sat Ch@t section?The Satellite Help forum has just celebrated its first birthday, and we have had a fantastic inaugural year. If you've not yet signed up to our forum, why not give it a try? We're a very friendly bunch, and between us we have a lot of experience in the field of home satellite installations and forum-based support etc.We're particularly interested in getting complete beginners involved, and can offer some simple 'getting started' advice - so no need to worry about being flamed!Regards, Satellite Help
Happy Christmas from Satellite Help!
bySeasons greetings to all our members and guests! May your holiday period be happy and safe.Why not check out the January 2007 issue of What Satellite and Digital TV magazine to see our forum feature in the Sat Ch@t section?The Satellite Help forum has just celebrated its first birthday, and we have had a fantastic inaugural year. If you've not yet signed up to our forum, why not give it a try? We're a very friendly bunch, and between us we have a lot of experience in the field of home satellite installations and forum-based support etc.We're particularly interested in getting complete beginners involved, and can offer some simple 'getting started' advice - so no need to worry about being flamed!Regards, Satellite Help
VoIP expected to increase marketshare
by Brian TurnerVOIP is like the little technology that could, and it’s almost there. In the past, it has been condemned for its below standard voice quality. It has been just as highly praised for its affordability. This double standard has made the corporate community hesitant to jump aboard the VOIP train. Consumers have been quicker to respond despite the potential ...
SME's expected to take to VoIP in 2007
by Brian TurnerVOIP can change the way a company does business – especially a small business. For most SME’s, VOIP will be a priority for the upcoming year. It only lags behind laptop and handheld computers when it comes to monies that will be invested by small businesses. VOIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is the technology that lies at the ...
Milwaukee sues over IPTV
by Brian TurnerIn the United States it seems that someone is always suing someone else. Usually it is the governments that are being sued by the citizens. Now it’s the government suing the citizens – or at least the corporations. The City of Milwaukee has filed a federal lawsuit that seeks to require telephony giant AT&T to negotiate a cable franchise ...
Ericsson enters IPTV market
by Brian TurnerEricsson is about to step into the IPTV market. It has stated in the past its desire to be a player in the telco video world, but it has gotten off to a slow start. Ericsson has been setting the stage for its IPTV move by purchasing other tech companies. Last year it was Marconi. This year ...
KyLinTV boosts IPTV for Chinese Americans
by Brian TurnerIt’s all new – and it’s here just in time for the holiday season. KyLinTV has announced a special winter gift for its North American subscribers in the form of all new programming for the holidays. Subscribers will be treated to a collections of December Blockbusters, Christmas and New Year’s Specials, as well as New Year’s Blockbusters. Its ...
FCC allows new HDTV services stateside
by Brian TurnerTelcos have been itching to get into the HDTV market. Past regulations have hindered their launch into the new services, but that may all be about to change. The FCC has just approved new regulations that will make it easier for telcos to launch new TV services. One of the aspects of the new regulations is that it ...
HDTV for Freeview?
by Brian TurnerIt?s round one of the HDTV fight, and broadcasters intend to fight to the death. Broadcasters are set to lobby the government and the media regulator Ofcom to provide spectrum to carry HDTV on Freeview. Ofcom did not earmark the spectrum for this use. It is hoping to auction the coveted radio spectrum which will be released by the switchover from ...
December 22, 2006
Sky Sports will broadcast one of the world's most spectacular sports events - the Super Bowl - in high definition for the first time next February. Super Bowl XLI will be the first US sports event and the sixth sport to be screened in HD by Sky Sports with the first Super League match in HD also on 4th February 2007. Super ...
Sky Sports to show Super Bowl in HD
by BGonaSTICKSky Sports will broadcast one of the world's most spectacular sports events - the Super Bowl - in high definition for the first time next February. Super Bowl XLI will be the first US sports event and the sixth sport to be screened in HD by Sky Sports with the first Super League match in HD also on 4th February 2007. Super ...
December 21, 2006
nCipher plc has announced the immediate availability of the miniHSM – the world’s first embedded hardware security module (HSM). MiniHSM provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with an easy to integrate, secure solution for data encryption, digital signing and strong authentication. The product enables the integration of pre-validated cryptographic security into a diverse range of products including digital cinema projectors, electronic ...
nCipher Announces Embedded Cryptographic Hardware Security Modules
by Brian TurnernCipher plc has announced the immediate availability of the miniHSM – the world’s first embedded hardware security module (HSM). MiniHSM provides original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) with an easy to integrate, secure solution for data encryption, digital signing and strong authentication. The product enables the integration of pre-validated cryptographic security into a diverse range of products including digital cinema projectors, electronic ...
New Phones Launched At Nokia World Conference
by Brian TurnerNokia introduced several new models at the Nokia World conference, all of which are scheduled to be available in the first quarter of next year. The Nokia N95 will include a GPS (global positioning system), which provides accurate maps for any city in the world. The HSDPA-capable phone has 160MB built-in storage that can be expanded by up to 2GB more ...
December 20, 2006
HP has upgraded security on its HP-UX 11i operating system with new encrypted volume and file system support for "data-at-rest," which describes an embedded-trusted computing chip for HP's Integrity servers. The new encryption is included in HP-UX11i v2 tie in with HP's Integrity servers which use the Intel Itanium processor. Itanium allows HP-UX 11i to do host-based encryption with low-performance ...
HP Tightens Security on HP-UX Operating System
by Brian TurnerHP has upgraded security on its HP-UX 11i operating system with new encrypted volume and file system support for "data-at-rest," which describes an embedded-trusted computing chip for HP's Integrity servers. The new encryption is included in HP-UX11i v2 tie in with HP's Integrity servers which use the Intel Itanium processor. Itanium allows HP-UX 11i to do host-based encryption with low-performance ...
Linskys Launches iPhone
by Brian TurnerHome networking specialist Linksys has introduced a series of seven handsets and systems designed for making Internet calls. The handsets will be called iPhones, a trademark owned by parent company Cisco Systems. The iPhones work with Internet calling services, including eBay’s Skype. The launch follows speculation that Apple Computer would use the brand to launch a combined mobile phone and music ...
MacWireless Unveils 11g USB Stick
by Brian TurnerMacWireless has announced a 11g USB Stick which provides wireless internet connectivity for any Mac with a USB port. The device is lower in cost than Apple's original AirPort card and is fully compatible with Apple AirPort cards and base stations. It is also compatible with all 802.11b, 802.11g, and pre-n networks. The 11g USB Stick supports WEP and WPA encryption ...
Samsung Phone Features Optical Joystick
by Brian TurnerSamsung is launching the first handset to include an optical joystick. The SCH-V960 handset is a slider cell phone with a joystick above the number pad. A user can control the joystick with their finger, activating the phone's onscreen cursor. This could make it easier to operate the cell phone menus and reduce erroneous button-pushing while trying to open applications. The ...
MultiSwitch Allows PCs to Share USB Devices
by Brian TurnerMultiSwitch, the first USB Hub which enables two computers to share USB peripherals, should be available in stores some time in early 2007. MultiSwitch, which has been developed by SMSC, allows computer users to share devices such as printers, cameras, USB hard drives, card readers, fingerprint scanners, and other USB devices without the need to set up a separate system ...
December 17, 2006
Centennial Software, a leading developer of IT asset discovery and security management solutions, has launched Security.Advisor, which helps identify the software and firmware vulnerabilities hidden across the entire network. In conjunction with Centennial’s Discovery asset management solution, Security.Advisor searches the network for vulnerabilities in software and hardware and directs users to the right patches and remedial actions to solve any ...
Centennial Software Launches Security.Advisor
by Brian TurnerCentennial Software, a leading developer of IT asset discovery and security management solutions, has launched Security.Advisor, which helps identify the software and firmware vulnerabilities hidden across the entire network. In conjunction with Centennial’s Discovery asset management solution, Security.Advisor searches the network for vulnerabilities in software and hardware and directs users to the right patches and remedial actions to solve any ...
iPhone with 2MP Camera Available in New Year
by Brian TurnerApple Computer's iPod cell phone, which will include a 2.0-megapixel digital camera, is expected to arrive in the late first quarter or early second quarter of 2007. According to a report in The China Times, the design of the device has been finalised and released for manufacturing. The iPhone will incorporate traditional cellular capabilities with Apple's iPod digital music player ...
Advanced Media Announces Fingerprint USB
by Brian TurnerAdvanced Media Inc,an independent subsidiary of RITEK Corporation, is launching the RIDATA Fingerprint USB Flash Drive. The drive protects sensitive information by integrating a variety of biometric-identification technologies to ensure user authenticity and verification. No additional software or devices are required. The RIDATA Fingerprint USB Flash Drive connects directly to the computer via the USB 1.1 or 2.0 ports and has ...
December 16, 2006
A House of Lords committee investigating internet security has listened to evidence from the UK payments association (APACS), the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and Visa. The organisations reported on the level of online threat to consumers, the types of security attacks being carried out and how financial services organisations are working with international law-enforcement groups to combat security issues. The House ...
Leading Financial Organisations Give Evidence on Internet Security
by Brian TurnerA House of Lords committee investigating internet security has listened to evidence from the UK payments association (APACS), the Financial Services Authority (FSA) and Visa. The organisations reported on the level of online threat to consumers, the types of security attacks being carried out and how financial services organisations are working with international law-enforcement groups to combat security issues. The House ...
USB Switchblade Malware Detected
by Brian TurnerCentennial Software, a developer of IT asset discovery and security management solutions, has issued a security alert about new endpoint malware, named USB Switchblade. The malware targets Windows systems and steals corporate information such as passwords, IP data, browser history and auto-fill data, including data used for online banking and other payment systems. The malware allows hackers to set up ghost ...
New Cable-Free USB Hub
by Brian TurnerA new cable-free USB Hub from Belkin, a leading manufacturer of peripherals and connectivity solutions, allows printers, scanners and other devices to be connected to a computer without the need for wires. The four-port USB hub can provide wireless access to four devices up to 30 feet away. This gives a user the freedom to place USB devices almost ...
Varioptic’s Liquid Lenses For Camera Phones Ready For Market
by Brian TurnerCreative Sensors is increasing production of variable focus liquid lenses for zoom-enable camera phones, from 100,000 liquid lenses per month at the end of 2006, to 1 million units per month by the end of 2007. The lenses are being manufactured in Wuxi, China. The developer of the liquid lens, French company Varioptic, agreed a production deal with Creative Sensor ...
New Photo Sharing and Synchronization Feature
by Brian TurnerAlltel Wireless is developing a photo sharing and synchronization feature that will enable PC and Web photo collections to be viewed on mobile phones. It will also send camera phone pictures automatically to a PC and the Web, and allow users to share PC and Web photos from anywhere. Alltel is launching the service with its partner Sharpcast Inc. The ...
New Controller Adds High-Speed USB Peripheral Connectivity to Portables
by Brian TurnerOxford Semiconductor Inc., a California-based provider of connectivity solutions for consumer, storage, multimedia, computing and industrial applications, has announced its latest controller - the OXU200. The device is a high-speed USB peripheral controller designed to help maximise data transfer speeds of memory rich portable products including PDAs, GPS systems and smart phones. The controller is compatible with USB specification revision ...
Free HDTV network?
by Brian TurnerWould you like to get free high definition television? All you have to be willing to do is just move to Canada. A Canadian businessman has applied for a license to launch a free high definition television network. Most Canadian viewers pay extra for any programming in HD. With the country inevitably heading towards the HD digital ...
Cisco VGE reinvents IPTV
by Brian TurnerTalk about reinventing the wheel. Cisco has virtually reinvented IPTV. It is dropping key elements of the IPTV experience (VoD, network DVR, fast channel change, and packet re-transmission) down to the network layer. These elements will now set on Cisco routers and servers in the network. Cisco is calling this vision Visual Quality Experience (VGE). One of the ...
Genuine threat to VoIP technology
by Brian TurnerThe bad guys are back on the prowl, and this time they have their eyes squarely on the prize of VOIP. Some experts in internet security are predicting that 2007 will bring a surge of Voice over Internet Protocol (VOIP) hacking attacks. The new telephony technology still has quite a few bugs to work out. It also ...
December 14, 2006
The low guys on the technology totem pole are finally getting their day – if all goes well that is. Eagle Broadband Inc., Falcon Communications Inc., and SES Americom are each aiming to win what is being called the “race for the rural†by being the first and best to offer IPTV packages to the rural and lower tier telcos. All ...
Race for rural IPTV
by Brian TurnerThe low guys on the technology totem pole are finally getting their day – if all goes well that is. Eagle Broadband Inc., Falcon Communications Inc., and SES Americom are each aiming to win what is being called the “race for the rural†by being the first and best to offer IPTV packages to the rural and lower tier telcos. All ...
Microsoft targets VoIP with Office 2007
by Brian TurnerMicrosoft is targeting the business sector of VOIP users for its latest market test. The company has announced the launch of an ambitious beta test with links to its 2007 Microsoft Office application. The beta is aimed at allowing the business to utilize their existing telephony infrastructure. One of the most exciting features is the ability to initiate a call ...
December 13, 2006
Microsoft has secured an agreement with PC manufacturers to add a change at the BIOS level to improve security in Windows Vista. Microsoft's Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) feature could make automated, large-scale attacks significantly more difficult. ASLR relies on Data Execution Prevention (DEP), another new Vista security feature, in order to function fully. DEP is also known as No Execute ...
Vista Hardware Security Approved by PC Makers
by Brian TurnerMicrosoft has secured an agreement with PC manufacturers to add a change at the BIOS level to improve security in Windows Vista. Microsoft's Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) feature could make automated, large-scale attacks significantly more difficult. ASLR relies on Data Execution Prevention (DEP), another new Vista security feature, in order to function fully. DEP is also known as No Execute ...
Product Launch – Sony USB Firewire 18x external DVD burner
by Brian TurnerSony is planning to distribute its first dual-platform, multi-format USB DVD writer kit for the European market later this month. The DRX-830UL-T is suitable for both Mac and Windows users, and comes with Nero 7 Essential authoring software for Windows and Toast 6 Lite software for Mac OS X. It features USB 2.0 and Firewire ports. The DRX-830UL-T has an 18x ...
Neo Set to Launch Micro Phone
by Brian TurnerNeo Products Ltd is preparing to launch a new generation of distinctively designed mobile camera phones, that are both fashionable and technologically advanced. The company will launch the 808i handset in the Middle East in March 2007, then a month later in Europe. The handset, one of the smallest and lightest in the marketplace, weighs 90g and measures a diminutive ...
Holland: HDTV or nothing
by Brian TurnerNo more free TV for the Dutch people. The Netherlands is the first county to end all “free to air” analog television broadcasts and to completely switch over to digital signals. Most of the country’s population did not even feel the switch. The large majority of viewers already purchase cable. In a country of over 16 million, only about ...
HDTV ramps up costs
by Brian Turner“They” are out to get you at every turn of the high definition journey. Not only are consumers paying out the nose for the latest HDTV sets, but they soon find they have to pay additional money to be able to watch television in high definition. The few broadcasts that are offered to consumers are not part of traditional ...
Alcatel faces off with Microsoft over IPTV
by Brian TurnerCompetition is good – especially for consumers interested in IPTV. And the market just got more competitive. It seems that Microsoft, which had hoped to become the industry standard for the emerging Internet Protocol television (IPTV) market is going to have more competition than it expected. Not only are the likes of Cisco Systems Inc, and other industry ...
BASE for SAFARI C
by Brian TurnerIt’s time for a switch – a switching system that is. Cedar Point Communications announced its selection of B.A.S.E. Technologies to support the international deployment of its SAFARI C (Cubed) Media Switching System. B.A.S.E. is being brought in to help Cedar Point mainly in the areas of customer prospects, sales and other professional services (to include installation and technical support). The two ...
South Africa looks to VoIP
by Brian TurnerSouth Africa has the highest telecommunications costs of any where in the world. Using technology correctly could be the simple but effective answer that companies need to bring these costs down. Many of South Africa?s firms have been looking into Voice over Internet Protocol as the technological tool they need. VOIP routes calls over existing computer data lines. ...
December 12, 2006
Yoggie Security Systems, an Israeli start-up, has developed an innovative device to provide high-level security to laptops when users access the Internet via hotspots, airports, and hotel rooms. The Yoggie Gatekeeper, which is about the size of a credit-card, is a miniature computer which connects to laptop and provides remote workers with the same level of security as that utilised ...
Yoggie Gatekeeper Provides High-level Security for Laptops
by Brian TurnerYoggie Security Systems, an Israeli start-up, has developed an innovative device to provide high-level security to laptops when users access the Internet via hotspots, airports, and hotel rooms. The Yoggie Gatekeeper, which is about the size of a credit-card, is a miniature computer which connects to laptop and provides remote workers with the same level of security as that utilised ...
nCipher Trials Biometric Security System at Heathrow
by Brian TurnerHeathrow Airport is trialling a biometric security system from nCipher that offers heightened levels of security. Travellers at the airport can enrol in a trial of the biometric security solution, known as miSense, which utilises iris and face recognition technology. The system is expected to speed up airport check in and boarding. The system will be available over the next few ...
Flagship Entertainment PDA From Motorola – MOTOROKR E6
by Brian Turner
Motorola, Inc. has launched its new flagship entertainment PDA - MOTOROKR E6. The device is an entertainment handset which is designed to enhance the lifestyles of professionals on the go with its simple and easy to use multimedia feature.
The E6 has been specifically designed to make it easy ...Sony Ericsson Launches W710i Mobile Phone in Middle East
by Brian TurnerSony Ericsson's W710i phone is designed to support an active, sporty lifestyle. It includes a motion sensor and fitness applications to measure running speed, distance and time, or count steps when walking. The phone features a Walkman® player, easy-to-use interface and is available in Performance Graphite and Hatha Violet. It also includes a 2 Megapixel camera with digital zoom ...
Corsair Launches Flash Voyager USB With 16GB Capacities
by Brian TurnerCorsair, a leader in the design and manufacture of high-speed memory modules, has expanded its range of Flash Voyager(TM) USB2.0 drives to include new 16GB capacities. The new 16GB drive significantly increases the amount of data users can carry. With 16GB of storage capacity, the drive can easily store up to 8 full-length, high definition movies or over 20 CDs. ...
New Wireless-N USB Network Adapter
by Brian TurnerThe Wireless-N USB Network Adapter from Linksys provides wireless connectivity for a notebook or desktop computer. It connects to a PC's USB port and provides high-speed wireless network access, at long distances. Wireless-N's "Multiple In, Multiple Out" (MIMO) technology overlays the signals of multiple radios, thereby multiplying the effective data rate. While ordinary wireless networking technologies are confused by signal ...
December 11, 2006
Collax has announced expanded bandwidth management of the Collax Security Gateway, a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution providing Web, email and network security. The UTM solution in Version 4.0.10 prioritizes and guarantees bandwidths in Virtual Private Networks giving Voice-over-IP (VoIP), and other business applications including ERP systems, priority in the VPN tunnel. The Collax Security Gateway 4.0.10 enables VoIP in company ...
Collax Enhances Security Gateway Bandwidth Management
by Brian TurnerCollax has announced expanded bandwidth management of the Collax Security Gateway, a Unified Threat Management (UTM) solution providing Web, email and network security. The UTM solution in Version 4.0.10 prioritizes and guarantees bandwidths in Virtual Private Networks giving Voice-over-IP (VoIP), and other business applications including ERP systems, priority in the VPN tunnel. The Collax Security Gateway 4.0.10 enables VoIP in company ...
Seagate Provides New Hardware-Based Encryption Technology
by Brian TurnerSeagate's new 'DriveTrust Technology', an effective means of preventing the theft of data from stolen or lost laptops, could become standard in a few years. While most encryption technologies reside in a separate application or as part of the operating system, DriveTrust technology integrates encryption directly into the drive itself. Although the technology had been available for Seagate's DV35 series hard ...
