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 ...
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 ...
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 ...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 ...
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 ...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 ...
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 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 ...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 ...
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 ...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 ...
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 ...
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 ...
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 ...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 ...
Smart Phones Surpassing PDAs
by Kathryn LangSmart phones have taken the world by storm. There was a time when a phone was just a phone that simply allowed you to talk with someone that wasn’t in your presence. As technology has become more compact, so have the capabilities of the communication devices. Most phones that are on the market have some smart phone capabilities. ...
Cell Phones: Multitasking Radio
by Kathryn LangCell Phones Are Just Sophisticated Radios. When is a phone not really a phone – when it is actually a cell phone. All those annoying little phones you hear buzzing where ever you go these days are (drum roll please) radios. Just knowing this takes a little bit of the fun out of the devices. Never fear, there ...
Etiquette for Mobiles Phones
by Kathryn LangI had left a message for my doctor, but left my cell phone number since I had to run some errands. The nurse timed the return call perfectly. There I was, standing in the refrigerator aisle of the local supermarket (complete with stock boy) when my phone began to buzz. If I didn’t answer the phone, it ...
June 18, 2007
In a survey of 2,000 European mobile users by Canlys, the analysis company for the high-tech industry, 23% of respondents said they would like a touchscreen interface on their phone if it gave them a large display, as long as the overall size of the device wasn't increased.
A further 10% ...
23% of Europeans welcome touchscreen phones
by Janet Harris
In a survey of 2,000 European mobile users by Canlys, the analysis company for the high-tech industry, 23% of respondents said they would like a touchscreen interface on their phone if it gave them a large display, as long as the overall size of the device wasn't increased.
A further 10% ...OFCOM could allow UK Broadband to offer WiMax
by Jan HarrisOfcom - the UK Office of Communications - is proposing to amend the Wireless Telegraphy Act licence held by UK Broadband Ltd in order to allow the company to provide mobile WiMax services across the UK. WiMax, which stands for Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access, is a technology used to provide wireless data communications over long distances. The company's current licence permits ...
Microsoft IPTV rebranded as Mediaroom
by Janet HarrisMicrosoft has announced the relaunch of 'Microsoft IPTV', its Internet television platform, as 'Microsoft Mediaroom'. The announcement was made at the NXTcomm conference in Chicago, where Microsoft said that is adding the ability to share personal media, such as images, music and photos, to its IPTV offering. Mediaroom will also allow applications to access the Internet without going through a web browser. Viewing ...
Plextor announces USB digital HDTV receiver
by Janet HarrisPlextor has released its Mini Digital HDTV Receiver, which connects to a laptop's USB port, allowing a user to watch high definition television while on the move. The receiver, which draws its power from the computer, has an external antenna and software that scans for over-the-air HD signals. It works with computers running Windows XP or Vista operating systems. High specification memory ...
Eye-Fi announces Wi-Fi memory cards for cameras
by Brian Turner
California-based Eye-Fi is planning to release Secure Digital memory cards with integrated Wi-Fi chips this autumn.
The card will enable digital photos to be sent automatically from a camera to home PCs or photo-sharing Web sites.
Eye-Fi is in discussions with around a dozen Web sites to allow direct uploads from cameras equipped ...
June 15, 2007
Eastman Kodak Co has developed a colour-filter technology that increases the sensitivity to light of the image sensor in digital cameras by 2 to 4 times.
The technology allows crisp, clear images to be taken even in poor light conditions.
The new filter system will replace an industry-standard filter pattern designed by Kodak scientist ...
Kodak develops colour-filter technology
by Janet Harris
Eastman Kodak Co has developed a colour-filter technology that increases the sensitivity to light of the image sensor in digital cameras by 2 to 4 times.
The technology allows crisp, clear images to be taken even in poor light conditions.
The new filter system will replace an industry-standard filter pattern designed by Kodak scientist ...WiFiMobile connects Nokia phones via PBX
by Jan HarrisVoIP provider WiFiMobile has announced its innovative Enterprise Solution which enables a Nokia mobile phone to be used as an extension to any SIP compliant corporate PBX system. The product is an easy, scalable solution for businesses whatever their size. The software enables mobile workers to use their mobile phones as a PBX extension to the corporate private branch exchange system. This ...
LG launches 60 inch Plasma HDTV
by Janet HarrisLG has launched a 60 inch, widescreen, Plasma High Definition TV - the LG 60PF95. The set has features from the LG Chocolate mobile phone range - a luxurious, glossy black frame and touch-sensitive glowing controls. An LED panel just below the screen displays information on the channel being viewed. Unusually for a plasma screen, the HDMI port accepts 1080p at 24Hz, ...
UK telco beats Apple to launch music service
by Jan HarrisUK-based mobile music company, Omnifone, has launched its MusicStation music download service two weeks before Apple's iPhone comes to the global marketplace. Omnifones' service is currently available to Swedish mobile customers of Norwegian group Telenor, and will be rolled out across Europe, Asia and Africa shortly. Universal Music Group, Sony BMG, EMI Music, and Warner Music International, the world's leading music labels, ...
BBC, ITV and Channel 4 in IPTV collaboration
by Janet HarrisThe BBC, ITV and Channel 4 are believed to be considering a joint venture to establish a single platform for on-demand TV to broadband devices. The initiative, known as 'Project Kangaroo' would create a 'one-stop shop', which would be open to other channels as well, to allow legal broadband viewing from one programme. According to the Guardian it will "do for broadband ...
June 14, 2007
Sony Ericsson has announced the K850, its newest Cyber-shot camera phone which delivers digital camera-quality pictures.
The device features a 5 megapixel camera phone with auto focus and Xenon flash. Tri-band HSDPA facilitates high-speed picture and video blogging.
Photo fix allows a user to improve light balance with just one click. The BestPic ...
Sony Ericsson announces K850 Cyber-shot
by Janet Harris
Sony Ericsson has announced the K850, its newest Cyber-shot camera phone which delivers digital camera-quality pictures.
The device features a 5 megapixel camera phone with auto focus and Xenon flash. Tri-band HSDPA facilitates high-speed picture and video blogging.
Photo fix allows a user to improve light balance with just one click. The BestPic ...Broadband subscribers approach 300 million
by Jan HarrisAccording to research by Point Topic, there were 298 million broadband subscribers around the globe in March 2007 and the number could have now passed the 300 million mark. France was the fastest growing broadband user in the first quarter of 2007, with a 9.6% increase in the number of subscribers to 15.3 million. The US kept its position as the largest ...
