December 21, 2007
With BT’s plans to offer there customers IPTV they have chosen to use Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform which will deliver the programming over the internet to homes within the UK. This is probably better news for Microsoft than BT, as it will strengthen their presence in the IPTV industry and by working with major corporations that are all trying to fight for their place in the ...
BT will use Microsoft for IPTV
by David AllenWith BT’s plans to offer there customers IPTV they have chosen to use Microsoft TV Internet Protocol Television (IPTV) Edition software platform which will deliver the programming over the internet to homes within the UK. This is probably better news for Microsoft than BT, as it will strengthen their presence in the IPTV industry and by working with major corporations that are all trying to fight for their place in the ...
BSkyB defends £78,500 charge for Rapture
by David AllenBSkyB just simply cannot stay out of the news these days, and this time the story is about how they charge other channels. In this case Rapture TV is appealing at the Competition Appeal Tribunal in London over the decision by the regulator Ofcom’s decision that BSkyB did not over charge Rapture TV for inclusion in the Electronic Programme Guide (EPG). But Rapture are arguing that charging a small channel £78,500 ...
December 20, 2007
Batteries for electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones and even electric vehicles, could soon hold ten times more charge than currently possible, thanks to new research at Stanford University. University researchers, including Yi Cui, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, are using silicon nanowires to extend the life of lithium-ion batteries. The capacity of a traditional lithium-ion battery is determined by how much lithium its anode can hold. Silicon ...
Silicon nanowires could extend battery life tenfold
by Janet HarrisBatteries for electronic devices such as laptops, mobile phones and even electric vehicles, could soon hold ten times more charge than currently possible, thanks to new research at Stanford University. University researchers, including Yi Cui, assistant professor of materials science and engineering, are using silicon nanowires to extend the life of lithium-ion batteries. The capacity of a traditional lithium-ion battery is determined by how much lithium its anode can hold. Silicon ...
Details emerge about IPTV World Forum
by David AllenThe organisers of the IPTV world forum, Junction Ltd have been announcing who will be making the key speeches for this world class event. With over 130 exhibitors planning to display their goods and services at the show that will run from 12th to the 14th March at Olympia in London. The main part of the event will be the speakers that come from all parts of the industry; this is ...
A year with IPTV
by David AllenFor many people IPTV may not even mean much, but as an industry there has been a lot of movement within the whole sector like: Top Market Developments in 2007: Fast web (in Europe) has begun to offer its TV package. Advertising-funded VOD trials have begun in Europe. It's the best year yet for net additions for IPTV. PlayStation 3 activated for IPTV in South Korea. Microsoft’s Xbox 360 is capable of acting as a ...
Consumer panel urges Ofcom to act on broadband speeds
by David AllenOfcom is being urged by its own consumer panel to get tough with the UK’s broadband service providers with regards to the speed that consumer has signed up for and the sped that they are actually receiving, as there would appear to be a huge a variance from one to the other. The panel are looking for all sorts of rules and regulations to be entered into a mandatory broadband service ...
Freedom4 and Connect MK offer WiMax
by David AllenThe people of Milton Keynes can now benefit from deal fashioned by the wireless broadband provider Freedom4 and Connect MK who will provide Milton Keynes with the UK’s first commercial wireless broadband service which uses the WiMax technology. The system has been operating in trials around the MK area, which is why the partnership with Connect MK which was set up to provide the residents and businesses a good service as ...
December 19, 2007
There is speculation that Microsoft could be backing out of its promise to give control of Office Open XML (OOXML) to the International Standards Organisation (ISO). OOXML is an XML-based file format specification for documents such as word processing file, spreadsheets, and presentations. It seems that Microsoft now hopes to retain indirect control of the standard through Ecma International, which originally approved OOXML in December 2006. Ecma International is an industry ...
Microsoft criticised over OOXML standardisation
by Janet HarrisThere is speculation that Microsoft could be backing out of its promise to give control of Office Open XML (OOXML) to the International Standards Organisation (ISO). OOXML is an XML-based file format specification for documents such as word processing file, spreadsheets, and presentations. It seems that Microsoft now hopes to retain indirect control of the standard through Ecma International, which originally approved OOXML in December 2006. Ecma International is an industry ...
Freeview continues to push the market
by David AllenThe UK digital market has recorded the second largest quarterly increase since the industry started. These figures come from the Ofcom third quarter Digital Television Progress Report, where they show that the amount of homes that have acquired multi channel television as the main viewing source is set at around twenty two million homes, which on a national scale is just over eighty six per cent of all households, this ...
Digital TV to get new Chief
by David AllenThere is more moves on the cards this time at Digital TV have got themselves a new chief executive and he has a background in the media industry, unlike the current chief executive Ford Ennals who came whose background was in sportswear as he worked for Nike. David Scott is to takeover the helm of the body that is in charge of the switching over the UK analogue signal to ...
Virgin media gets new VP Finance
by David AllenCharles Gallagher is set to become the new Vice President of Finance of Virgin Media, in order for him to take the position up he will need to resign from the board of directors of the company, which means that George Zoffinger will become the new chairman of the audit committee. Joining the board of NTL, Charles Gallagher moved with the company when Virgin Media stepped in, he has also worked ...
Phillips to sell set top box business
by David AllenPace Micro Technology have picked a bargain set top box business from Phillips, as they have decided to reduce their Home Networks business unit which is part of the Consumer Electronics division, Pace are a UK based business and so know the market that they are already in and are looking to expand. The deal is said to be worth around ninety million euros, but has been made in shares, Phillips ...
December 18, 2007
Microsoft is releasing a beta version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 to the public while suggesting that consumers should really switch to its latest Vista operating system. The beta will be available on Microsoft's website and a final version will be available next year. In a statement the company said that Windows Vista provides the most advanced security and management capabilities of any Windows operating system. However, it said ...
Microsoft to release beta of Windows XP SP3
by Janet HarrisMicrosoft is releasing a beta version of Windows XP Service Pack 3 to the public while suggesting that consumers should really switch to its latest Vista operating system. The beta will be available on Microsoft's website and a final version will be available next year. In a statement the company said that Windows Vista provides the most advanced security and management capabilities of any Windows operating system. However, it said ...
Loss of broadband for Virgin Media
by David AllenThe customers of Virgin Media were experiencing life without broadband last night, and in some places this problem has continued into today. There were lost links reported at 9.00 pm last night in many parts of country which just shows the scale of the problem and that it was not just affecting one place. There were problems appearing in the network throughout the day, but by the evening the system let ...
Bullseye TV expands IPTV offering
by David AllenThe UK independent Bullseye Television are to expand their services on IPTV by splitting their current services in four separate channels, Braindead Comedy, Braindead Crime, Braindead Sport and Braindead Reality on Joost as from next month. These different brands can then be offered as stand alone channels as well as being offered as content on mobile devices. The reason for this reorganisation is the fact that the Braindead has been making ...
BBC outlines iPlayer promotions
by David AllenThe news is coming out of the BBC at a fast rate regarding their newly updated iPlayer, which allows users to catch up on programmes that have been missed for one reason or another. With just over a week before the iPlayer is officially launched, the BBC are going to embark on a huge advertising campaign which will involve some the most famous people on the TV today. To start off ...
Standards for IPTV to be introduced
by David AllenThe first global standards for IPTV have been set out by the International Telecommunications Union (ITU) these standards have been put together by with the help of industry leaders in both providing the service and by those companies who manufacture the equipment. This move may provide the ITU with the platform to become the industry leader in IPTV development on a global scale. There will be documents on what the industry ...
US TV classics offered to Tiscali users
by Lin FreestoneTiscali TV, together with Sony Pictures Television International, has launched a subscription video-on-demand service featuring classic US television shows. Called Screen Gems, it carries Sony library services to Tiscali users. The new service offers timeless shows that were enjoyed by an older generation in their childhood and teenage years. Young people will now be able to share this experience. Available now, offerings in the first month include Bewitched, Starsky & Hutch and ...
December 17, 2007
The UK phone infrastructure is being overworked at the moment, the future hold serious problems for everyone wanting to use the internet for business and pleasure. But it seems that instead of attempting to replace or upgrade the system there could be an alternative that good solve the situation immediately and that is by using the power cables. A power line will carry the broadband and power to homes and businesses, the ...
Broadband over the power lines a success
by David AllenThe UK phone infrastructure is being overworked at the moment, the future hold serious problems for everyone wanting to use the internet for business and pleasure. But it seems that instead of attempting to replace or upgrade the system there could be an alternative that good solve the situation immediately and that is by using the power cables. A power line will carry the broadband and power to homes and businesses, the ...
O2 now plans to enter UK pay TV market
by David AllenO2 has been a quiet one recently signing deals with HBO, Paramount and Warner Bros, this was for their service in the Czech Republic, but now they plan to bring it here to the UK. This is great news for the consumer and supposedly bad news for the other operators like Sky, Virgin Media and BT Vision. O2 who are owned by the Spanish company Telefonica, are already established in the ...
