IPTV News
June 28, 2007
According to a new report from Infonetics Research - "IPTV (News - Alert) Equipment, Services, Subscribers, and Capex" - global IPTV equipment revenue reached $423.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. Worldwide IPTV equipment manufacturer revenue increased by 153% in 2006 to over $1 billion. Although the rate of growth in the IPTV equipment market is expected to slow, it ...
Global IPTV revenue reaches $423.9m
by Janet HarrisAccording to a new report from Infonetics Research - "IPTV (News - Alert) Equipment, Services, Subscribers, and Capex" - global IPTV equipment revenue reached $423.9 million in the first quarter of 2007. Worldwide IPTV equipment manufacturer revenue increased by 153% in 2006 to over $1 billion. Although the rate of growth in the IPTV equipment market is expected to slow, it ...
OMTA promotes standard for VoIP on cellphones
by Jan HarrisThe Open Mobile Terminal Platform Alliance (OMTA), a mobile-phone industry body which aims to steer the development of handsets, has published new guidelines on provisioning and maintaining VoIP settings on new handsets. The guidelines, which are aimed at network operators and handset manufacturers, cover VoIP clients that are pre-installed on handsets, such as that used by Truphone. They are not ...
Report forecasts 50 million HDTV units by 2008
by Janet Harris
According to a new report from Global Industry Analysts, Inc, the HDTV market is expected to exceed 50-million units by 2008.
The report, entitled "HDTV: A Global Strategic Business Report", states that traditional markets for entertainment and computer displays are now being replaced with High-Definition Television.
HDTV has been available ...OmniVision and Scalado collaborate on camera phones
by Janet Harris
OmniVision Technologies, the US-based image sensor company, and Scalado, the Swedish mobile imaging software specialist, are working together to make camera phones more user-friendly.
As part of the collaboration, OmniVision has added hardware to its new 3-megapixel OV3640 CameraChip, to optimise a camera's ability to benefit from Scalado's SpeedView technology.
This ...Eurotariff set to cut roaming charges
by Jan HarrisThe new EU Roaming Regulation will come into force on 30 June, cutting roaming charges across all 27 EU member states. The regulation, which will run for three years, requires mobile phone operators to offer a eurotariff of a maximum €0.49 per minute for making calls within the EU and €0.24 per minute for receiving them. Operators will have one month ...
Vonage launches USB internet phone
by Jan HarrisVonage has introduced the V-Phone, an internet telephone on a USB stick with its own 'virtual' telephone number. V-Phone simply plugs into a USB port on a computer with a 300MHz processor or higher, and the software launches itself from the stick. A virtual keyboard appears on the computer's screen which the user dials either by clicking with a mouse, or ...
June 27, 2007
The BBC has launched its on-demand TV service, iPlayer, as part of its internet TV strategy and to meet the growing interest in television on demand. The corporation has made a beta version of the service available to the public, just two months after securing approval for iPlayer from the BBC Trust. The service will only be available in the UK. ...
BBC launches iPlayer
by Janet HarrisThe BBC has launched its on-demand TV service, iPlayer, as part of its internet TV strategy and to meet the growing interest in television on demand. The corporation has made a beta version of the service available to the public, just two months after securing approval for iPlayer from the BBC Trust. The service will only be available in the UK. ...
Tangerine Global reveals 5 new HDTV channels
by Janet Harris
Tangerine Global, which provides HDTV programming for the five-star hospitality industry, is launching five new HDTV channels.
The new channels, which will screen in hotel rooms, are:
• Tangerine Green HD which aims to inform viewers of products and technologies which help to balance an eco-conscious and luxury lifestyle,
• Tangerine Alive ...NEC Electronics ships 8MP camera phone chip
by Janet Harris
NEC Electronics Corp has started to ship samples of CE131, an image processing LSI for use in camera phones, which is capable of capturing 8MP images.
This is 1.6 times the resolution of the current market version of the LSI, which captures 5MP.
The LSI sits between the CMOS sensor and ...AIRcable Bluetooth USB dongle has 30km range
by Jan HarrisWireless Cables Inc has released the AIRcable Host XR, a USB Bluetooth adapter with a range of up to 30km with professional installation. AIRcable Host XR has a powerful, highly sensitive Bluetooth transmitter. A standard antenna is included, giving a range of 1KM - a significant improvement on a standard USB Blootooth hub. However, with a 9dBi omni-directional antenna the device ...
UPA pushes on powerline applications
by Brian TurnerThe Universal Powerline Association (UPA), an international organisation focused on global standards for high-speed Powerline applications, has announced its fourth Plug Test event on July 6th 2007 for new multimedia Powerline products. Fifteen products from 10 different manufacturers have already received the official UPA Plug Tested label, which is driving worldwide Powerline compatibility and enhancing consumer confidence in Powerline technology. The UPA ...
PlusNet tailors broadband for Polish community
by Jan HarrisISP PlusNet, which is based in Sheffield, has created a broadband service designed especially for the 750,000 Polish people currently living in the UK. The company has a significant number of Polish people working within its organisation and this has helped the ISP launch a service tailored to the Polish community's needs. PlusNet now offers a Polish language portal which greets ...
June 26, 2007
In a new report, Jupiter Research predicts that Internet Service Providers could start charging some websites for faster access to customers. Although this would generate increased revenues for ISPs, Jupiter warns that it could also create a "two-tiered internet" which might alienate consumers and increase the complexity of broadband service provision. As the moment ISPs operate on tight margins so that ...
Jupiter Research predicts two-tiered net
by Jan HarrisIn a new report, Jupiter Research predicts that Internet Service Providers could start charging some websites for faster access to customers. Although this would generate increased revenues for ISPs, Jupiter warns that it could also create a "two-tiered internet" which might alienate consumers and increase the complexity of broadband service provision. As the moment ISPs operate on tight margins so that ...
Panasonic chip enhances HD-AV power
by Janet Harris
Panasonic has commenced mass-production of a new 45nm chip at its manufacturing plant in Ouzo Japan.
The chip is designed to provide increased power and performance for high definition and audio-visual applications.
The UniPher (Universal Platform for High-quality Image Enhancing Revolution) processor provides H.264 video encoding/decoding and symmetric multi-processing.
It can be used to ...Ocean Blue calls for single PVR standard
by Janet HarrisOcean Blue Software, a member of the Digital TV Group, the industry association for digital television in the UK, has called for a single standard for Digital TV recorders, also called Personal Video Recorders. The company wants a single brand extending across all platforms - IPTV, satellite and cable - in order to simplify the market for consumers. At the moment ...
Raketu launches RakWeb VoIP for Mobile Devices
by Jan HarrisRaketu has announced RakWeb VoIP telephony services for use on mobile devices. The service will be available on Symbian handsets such as the Nokia E70, Mobile Windows Smartphone models 8125/8525, and Linux-based mobile devices such as the Nokia 770. RakWeb is web-based and consumers will not need to download any software. The service is available over any Internet connection, from broadband ...
SanDisk launches Cruzer Contour USB drive
by Jan HarrisSanDisk has launched the Cruzer Contour USB flash drive, providing a combination of speed and style. The drive features a unique sliding USB connector. The connector is revealed with a sliding mechanism on the top of the drive, eliminating the need for an easy to lose cap. When the device is connected to a computer, blue LEDs illuminate the word “Cruzer” ...
GSMA calls for spectrum 'refarm'
by Jan HarrisThe GSM Association (GSMA), a global trade association for GSM operators, has renewed calls for GSM radio frequencies to be opened up for the delivery of 3G data. According to a report from analyst Ovum, which was commissioned by the GSMA, 'refarming' the spectrum to allow 3G to be used over the 900MHz GSM band, would open up 3G technology ...
Hi-def video coming to camera phones
by Janet Harris
Texas Instruments, the chip manufacturer, is preparing to release its third-generation OMAP processor in 2008. The OMAP3 mobile phone platform will bring high-definition video to mobile phones.
The technology will provide up to 720x1,368-pixel resolution, which is 720p adapted for phones' portrait format.
The cameras on the phones will also be ...
June 25, 2007
The Google phone - LG's KU-580 handset, which incorporates Google Search, Google Mail and Google Maps - is now available in Italy and France, and should be coming to other European countries soon.
The KU-580 resembles LG's Chocolate phone with its red-on-black colour scheme. It has a generous 2in widescreen LCD on ...
Google phone available in Europe
by Janet Harris
The Google phone - LG's KU-580 handset, which incorporates Google Search, Google Mail and Google Maps - is now available in Italy and France, and should be coming to other European countries soon.
The KU-580 resembles LG's Chocolate phone with its red-on-black colour scheme. It has a generous 2in widescreen LCD on ...Calao fits Linux PC on USB key
by Jan HarrisFrench company Calao is developing a Linux PC that is so small that it fits on a USB key. The USB-9260, which measure just 3.3 x 1.4 inches, runs on an Atmel processor clocked at 190MHz. The device includes 64MB of SDRAM memory and 256MB of NAND flash for data storage. It also has two USB ports and an Ethernet jack and ...
Zen Internet named best ISP
by Jan HarrisBroadband provider, Zen Internet, secured three prizes at the recent PC Advisor Awards for its reliability and high standard of service provision. The Internet Service Provider was recognised as both the most reliable ISP and the best small ISP. The company also received a Customer Service award for its broadband service. Earlier in 2007 the company was named in the Times as ...
FreshTel provides VoIP products in ASDA UK
by Jan HarrisFreshTel, the Australia-based VoIP vendor, and its hardware partner Binatone, have started to sell their Internet Phone service is Wal-Mart's UK retail arm, ASDA. ADSA began selling the Freshtel Internet Phone in 122 of its UK stores in June 2007. The retailer is selling the device under the Binatone Internet Phone brand, and it is powered by Freshtel. Freshtel hopes the agreement ...
Mitsubishi to bring laser HDTV to CES
by Janet HarrisAccording to an article in the New York Times, Mitsubishi will exhibit the new 'Laser HDTV' at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, in January 2008. The long-awaited Laser TV is expected to provide bright and deep images on large, thin and lightweight screens. The laser provides better colour quality because it can blend colours more precisely. The use of the ...
Gem to distribute HD ready Meivo-tv
by Janet HarrisGem Distribution, the UK trade distributor of software, peripherals and converging technologies for PCs and consoles, is to supply a combined HD ready TV/PC meivo.tv from Rock. Rock, which is better know for its notebooks, has designed Meivo.tv - an LCD TV with an integrated PC - specifically for video on demand/IPTV. Meivo.tv features a 22" flat panel screen, a Core 2 ...
Gem to distribute Meivo-tv
by Janet HarrisGem Distribution, the UK trade distributor of software, peripherals and converging technologies for PCs and consoles, is to supply a combined TV/PC meivo.tv from Rock. Rock, which is better know for its notebooks, has designed Meivo.tv - an LCD TV with an integrated PC - specifically for video on demand/IPTV. Meivo.tv features a 22" flat panel screen, a Core 2 Duo E4300 ...
June 24, 2007
Start-up company Caringo is looking to challenge EMC and other vendors in the content-addressable storage market. Using just a USB stick, Caringo aims to turn any industry-standard server into a content addressable storage node. Content-addressable storage, or CAS, is a technology which turns a fixed-content data file, which is data that once stored does not need to be changed, into an object ...
Caringo builds secure CAS storage appliance on USB
by Brian TurnerStart-up company Caringo is looking to challenge EMC and other vendors in the content-addressable storage market. Using just a USB stick, Caringo aims to turn any industry-standard server into a content addressable storage node. Content-addressable storage, or CAS, is a technology which turns a fixed-content data file, which is data that once stored does not need to be changed, into an object ...
June 22, 2007
O2 launched the O2 Cocoon at the O2 Wireless Festival - its latest handset developed specifically for the style-led consumer.
As well as a unique white clamshell design, the device features a high-quality music player and the capacity to store 500 songs with the 2GB internal memory.
An additional 500 songs can ...
O2 Cocoon 3G handset announced
by Janet Harris
O2 launched the O2 Cocoon at the O2 Wireless Festival - its latest handset developed specifically for the style-led consumer.
As well as a unique white clamshell design, the device features a high-quality music player and the capacity to store 500 songs with the 2GB internal memory.
An additional 500 songs can ...e-jewel retailing most expensive U3 stick ever
by Jan HarrisAn Israeli online jewellery store, e-jewel.co.il, is selling a limited edition of the most expensive U3 flash drive ever. U3 is a closed source standard co-developed by M-systems and Sandisk, which delivers a simplified portable computing platform at a fraction of the cost of a laptop computer. The standard was recently assimilated by Microsoft, who plans to develop a new software ...
First 1080p 42-inch plasma HDTV announced
by Janet HarrisUS-based Panasonic Consumer Electronics Company has announced the TH-42PZ700U, 1080p 42-inch Plasma HDTV - industry's first 1080p 42-inch plasma TV. The set will be available to buy in early July for around $2499.95. The TH-42PZ700U is part of Panasonic's 2007 line of 700 Series 1080p HDTVs, which includes 42, 50, 58, 65 and 103 inch models. The 700 series is acclaimed for its ...
Narrowstep & esport.tv provide IPTV gaming channel
by Janet HarrisIPTV provider Narrowstep Inc has joined with esport.tv to provide an interactive gaming channel for videogame fans everywhere. The channel - http://www.esport.tv/ - provides a full line up of esport.tv shows on Narrowstep's premier platform, telvOS(TM). It also delivers the latest gaming news, previews of upcoming games, pro-team and tournament content, gaming tip and features about the gamers themselves and is available ...
Avanti provides cheaper calls with LCR technology
by Jan HarrisUK-based Avantimobile has developed an innovative business model that provides cheaper calls via Wi-Fi as an alternative to VoIP calls. The system, called Least Cost Routing (LCR), uses technologies from mobile networks such as Vodafone and Orange, together with automated access to calls that cost around 2p per minute to the USA. Users download an application that is then programmed over the ...
BT helps businesses benefit from VoIP
by Jan HarrisBT has released a new guide - "Understanding VoIP for Business" - to help smaller companies understand how they can benefit from VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services. The guide was produced after research showed that only 25 percent of small businesses in the UK are already using broadband telephony services. It promotes VoIP as a viable replacement for traditional lines. The ...
June 21, 2007
Concrete Software is releasing a new game, 3D Lawn Darts, which uses innovative motion sensing control technology.
The game replicates the Nintendo Wii motion controller on a mobile camera phone. It uses the phone's internal camera to allow players to swing the phone as if they were throwing a ...
Motion-sensing game for camera phones announced
by Janet Harris
Concrete Software is releasing a new game, 3D Lawn Darts, which uses innovative motion sensing control technology.
The game replicates the Nintendo Wii motion controller on a mobile camera phone. It uses the phone's internal camera to allow players to swing the phone as if they were throwing a ...Logitech launches 4-port USB Hub
by Jan HarrisLogitech has launched the Logitech Premium 4-Port USB Hub for Notebooks. The hub provides high-speed file transfer at up to 480Mbps. It includes port indicator lights and comes with a carrying case and power adapter. The hub has a recommended price of £19.99 and should be available in Europe in July. Along with the hub, Logitech has also released the Logitech Cordless ...
IMS forecasts strong worldwide growth for HDTV
by Janet HarrisIn its report, “The Future of High-Definition TV – 2007 Edition,” IMS Research forecasts strong worldwide growth for HDTV over the next four years, with satellite keeping its lead as the most popular method of reception. The market is expected to grow to nearly 148 million HDTV households by 2011 - with 41% of these choosing to receive HDTV programming via ...
UK heading for rapid mobile broadband growth
by Jan HarrisAccording to new research from YouGov and Point Topic, mobile broadband services are set to grow rapidly in the UK. Point Topic found that around 90 percent of people who have broadband access at home already own a mobile phone. Half of these also use a laptop and access the Internet while on the move. Of those surveyed, 38 percent were already ...
Amino launches new set top box
by Janet HarrisAmino, the IPTV platform supplier, is announcing a new high definition (HD) product, the Personal Video Recorder (PVR/DVR) enabled AmiNET530, at NXTcomm 2007 in Chicago. The AmiNET530 is designed to play a core role in a service provider’s multiplay strategy, by offering cutting edge, high quality on-demand, IPTV, PVR, gaming and HD services to end-user consumers using MPEG-2/4 codecs. The AmiNET530 next-generation ...
Fring launched on Windows Mobile smartphones
by Jan HarrisMobile VoIP company, fring, has extended its service to all Windows Mobile 5.0 and 6.0 series handsets. fring is a mobile Voice over Internet Protocol (mVoIP) application that allows users to make free calls and live chat over cellular data networks or a Wi-Fi connection. With fring, Windows Mobile users can now make VoIP calls at no extra cost. They can hold ...
June 20, 2007
Inuk Networks has added popular music programmes from MTV Networks UK to its Freewire IPTV service which serves university campuses via the high-speed JANET network. Inuk has recently secured a number of content deals, adding Channel 4, Five and S4C, to the programming schedule. The company is also adding pay TV channels to the platform and plans to expand the service to ...
Freewire IPTV gains MTV music channels
by Janet HarrisInuk Networks has added popular music programmes from MTV Networks UK to its Freewire IPTV service which serves university campuses via the high-speed JANET network. Inuk has recently secured a number of content deals, adding Channel 4, Five and S4C, to the programming schedule. The company is also adding pay TV channels to the platform and plans to expand the service to ...
LiarVB-A worm spreads via USB flash drives
by Jan HarrisSophos has released details the LiarVB-A worm, which copies itself onto removable drives, such as USB Flash drives and floppy disks. It also spreads via network shares. Unlike most malware, which is designed to make money for hackers, the LiarVB-A worm aims to spread information about Aids and HIV. Although it carries a message claiming that the worm won't harm the ...
Tagit and DAEM announce augmented reality technology
by Janet Harris
Tagit Pte Ltd of Singapore and DAEM Interactive have announced a new innovation in mobile image recognition technology.
The 'Augmented Reality' technology allows camera-phone users to interact with media channels and obtain information or digital content.
It provides a new dimension to advertisements by allowing users to capture images of ...Wi-Fi Alliance defends certification of 802.11n equipment
by Jan HarrisIn an interview with ZDNet.co.uk Mr Frank Haznlik, the managing director of the Wi-Fi Alliance defended the organisation's decision to certify 802.11n equipment before the wi-fi standard is finalised. The alliance is a global, non-profit organization which certifies wireless devices that implement the universal IEEE 802.11 specifications. Although the latest standard, 802.11n, will not be finalised by the Institute of Electrical and ...
Michael Grade calls for HDTV for all
by Janet HarrisThe head of ITV, Michael Grade, is gathering support in his campaign to stop the UK government from selling off the analogue TV spectrum. Instead Grade wants the bandwidth to be used to supply millions of UK homes with terrestrial high definition television. The most like recipients of the analogue TV spectrum are UK mobile phone networks. Michael Grade is meeting with members ...
Vyke launches free mobile text messages
by Jan HarrisVoIP provider Vyke Communications Plc has launched Vyke Pro which allows its customers to text each other for free and text anyone else for just a penny. According to Vyke, although texting seems a cheap alternative to voice calls, the actual cost is exorbitant. The company has worked out that it costs around £750 per MB to send a text message ...
June 19, 2007
i-mate has announced its new JAMA Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA phone.
The slim, lightweight device is aimed at users who want a basic-level pda to help them keep organised and in touch.
Input is purely via the 2.4" QVGA resolution touch screen and connectivity is provided with dual-band (900/1800MHz) GSM/GPRS ...
i-mate announces JAMA WM5 Pocket PC Phone
by Janet Harris
i-mate has announced its new JAMA Windows Mobile 5.0 PDA phone.
The slim, lightweight device is aimed at users who want a basic-level pda to help them keep organised and in touch.
Input is purely via the 2.4" QVGA resolution touch screen and connectivity is provided with dual-band (900/1800MHz) GSM/GPRS ...Apicorn releases Aegis Bio USB hard drive
by Jan HarrisApricorn, the US-based personal storage company, has launched the Aegis Bio hardware encrypted biometric hard drive. The drive is designed with the security requirements of mobile professionals in mind. UPEK's TouchStrip Fingerprint Sensor allows users to access their data with the swipe of a finger, eliminating the need to remember passwords. The Oxford Semiconductor encryption engine encrypts data with 128-bit AES in ...
Tiscali provides PictureBox on IPTV
by Janet HarrisTiscali is partnering with Universal Pictures to provide PictureBox, Universal's subscription video-on-demand service, in the UK. PictureBox will be part of Tiscali's IPTV service in the UK and will offer a choice of around 28 blockbuster movies for £5 a month. New titles will be added on a weekly basis. The service will initially offer Bridget Jones: The Edge of Reason, The ...
London leads the way with wi-fi
by Jan HarrisA new security report by the RSA, a US research organisation, identifies London as a leader in providing wi-fi access. The report was the RSA's 6th annual survey. The RSA looked at the growth of wi-fi in London, Paris and New York and found that wireless access points in London have increased 160 per cent - from 2,747 in 2006 to 7,130 ...
Toshiba develops wireless high-def TV technology
by Janet HarrisToshiba announced wireless technology specifically designed to stream high-definition television around the home, at the 2007 Symposia on VLSI Circuits, in Kyoto, Japan. The company is developing a wireless communications standard that operates at a rate of over 1 gigabit per second on the 60GHz band. This 'millimetre-waveband', as it is known, is deployed in Japan, Europe and the US. Frequencies around the ...
