Broadband News
February 29, 2008
With all the exposure about the popularity of the BBC iPlayer service and one side saying the bandwidth it uses has an insignificant effect and the other sounding warning notes, it is easy to overlook that Channel 4 has its own streaming and download service 4oD. 4oD launched way back in January 2006 and has had some 100 million views and ...
100 million views since 4oD began
by Dave NixonWith all the exposure about the popularity of the BBC iPlayer service and one side saying the bandwidth it uses has an insignificant effect and the other sounding warning notes, it is easy to overlook that Channel 4 has its own streaming and download service 4oD. 4oD launched way back in January 2006 and has had some 100 million views and ...
Tiscali boss shown the door
by Dave NixonTiscali SpA has changed Chief Executive Tommaso Pompei with board member Mario Rosso and designated that the for sale signs may in reality be going out. Pompei will stay on as Director until the endorsement of the 2007 financial results. Even though no authorized word has come from Tiscali, reports at Reuters indicate that Italy's Fastweb, Vodafone and BT Group have ...
Virgin Media publishes Q4 2007 results
by Dave NixonVirgin Media have released their results for Q4 2007, ending December 31st. The figures show possibly one of the finest quarters since the NTL/Telewest merger into Virgin, with an on-net customer net accumulation of 24,400, up from 13,000 last quarter ('on-net' refers to where Virgin operate their own cable network). The TV service has unquestionably seen the end of the recession that ...
Users concerned over privacy issues
by Dave NixonProfiling the audience for television programs has occurred for years with advertisers eager to get air time for their adverts when their market audience is viewing. The internet altered that and very frequently advertisers know very little about advert viewing. Phorm, the people behind a new advertising agency are aiming to amend this by tracking the kinds of websites people ...
Laptop sold on eBay contained with Home Office disc
by Dave NixonThe Home Office has begun an investigation after a buyer purchased a laptop on eBay that contained a disc with confidential information. The disc was concealed under the computer's keyboard, and discovered by a local PC repair firm, Leapfrog Computers in Bolton, when it was submitted for repair. The disc had the words "Home Office" and "Confidential" written on it. Both the ...
eBay accused over pirated software
by Dave NixonA principal anti-piracy body has pointed the finger at eBay over counterfeit software, claiming in a new report that "at least 90 percent of all software available on eBay is illegal." The Software & Information Industry Association (SIIA) is an association for software companies whose anti-piracy division acts rather like the UK’s Federation Against Software Theft (FAST) in its labors to ...
Malicious Code FTP-Toolz*pack Discovered
by Lashan ClarkeThe new FTP-Toolz*pack has made it possible for fraudsters to hack into the biggest Web sites on the Internet. After doing so, the hackers release a code that will leak the file-server credentials. This leads to the possibility of an iframe attack, and any visitor would be infected with the code. Security firm Finjan has already discovered more than eight ...
Mobile broadband gaining ground on ADSL and cable
by Jan HarrisA report in PC Pro suggests that mobile broadband technology, such as 3G data cards, could overtake traditional fixed-line connections, such as ADSL and cable, within the next two years. Comparison site, Top 10 Broadband, has noted a 50 per cent increase, month on month, in sales of mobile broadband, over a six month period. Mobile broadband has the advantage of flexibility, ...
Microsoft announces Vista price cuts
by Janet Harris
iLounge leaks iPhone SDK details
by Janet Harris
The iLounge website, which focuses on Apple's iPod and iPhone devices, has leaked information about Apple's iPhone Software Developers Kit (SDK), prior to its debut at the forthcoming Apple Worldwide Developers Conference, to be held in San Francisco on 6 March.
According to the site, sources familiar with the SKD claim that it ...4oD registers 100 million views
by Janet HarrisChannel 4's streaming and download service 4oD, has had 100 million views and downloads since its launch in January 2006. What's more, the popularity of the service is growing rapidly, with the number of people using PCs to access 4oD up 110% since 1 January 2008, with six million streams or downloads. Usage is even greater via other platforms - 4oD is ...
Dreams bed retailer deploys VoIP
by Jan HarrisBed retailer, Dreams, is deploying VoIP and 3G mobile technology, to link its rapidly growing chain of stores. The company is undergoing a major expansion programme that will see it open one new store each week, for 50 weeks. Dreams plans to link up each shop within seven days, helping with a strategy to capture 25% of the market and ...
Corsair to demo Voyager GT USB Flash drive at CeBIT
by Jan HarrisMemory specialist, Corsair will debut its new 'GT' 16GB USB 2.0 Flash drive, at CeBIT in Hanover, Germany next week. According to the company, the drive offers transfer rates that are up to four times faster than those provided by standard USB 2.0 drives. Corsair claims that a 1.63GB movie can be transferred in just 98 seconds, compared to 358 seconds with ...
'Data guardians' appointed in HMRC to improve data security
by Isabelle ChaizeThe Treasury this week revealed the appointment of seven 'data guardians' across all areas of the Customs and Revenue department. The newly created role involves monitoring the handling and transfer of data throughout the department. According to Jane Kennedy, financial secretary to the Treasury and MP for Liverpool Wavertree, the guardians have been given support including 'awareness events, written material and ...
Microsoft suffering problems with Hotmail service
by Isabelle ChaizeThe software giant Microsoft's Hotmail service, which with approximately 80 million users takes up nearly a quarter of the global webmail market, has been experiencing serious malfunctions. No details have yet been released about the exact nature of the problem, but Microsoft said that they were aware that some of their customers were experiencing difficulty gaining access to their accounts. A spokeswoman ...
Toshiba announces Regza CV HDTV series
by Janet Harris
Toshiba has announced its new Toshiba Regza CV series of LCD HDTVs, which will replace their C series.
The CV series is designed for customers who want to upgrade to HDTV from an existing high specification CRT or older analog LCD TV. Although the company hasn't revealed the price of ...Mobile broadband taking off
by David Allen
ISP’s to hand over website activity
by David AllenUS Senate approves 911 VoIP bill
by Lin FreestoneIn the US, the Senate has approved a bill that would ensure 911 access for customers using Internet-based phone services. The bill would allow cable companies and other VoIP providers the same type of interconnection access as traditional phone providers so that 911 calls made from VoIP connections will be guaranteed to reach a live operator. The issue arose several years ...
FX gets fifth series Nip/Tuck
by David Allen
Channel Four and BBC Worldwide
by David AllenIPTV focus at NAB 2008 in Las Vegas
by Lin FreestoneThe NAB 2008 conference and exhibition will be held between 11 - 17 April at Las Vegas Convention Centre in Nevada. Of the 111,028 visitors in 2007, there were more than 27,000 international attendees representing 163 countries. NAB 2008 will expand its IPTV offerings with a new conference series and super session providing telecommunications and wireless professionals with insight into converging ...
Three Star channels added to GekTV in US and Canada
by Lin FreestoneStar and GekTV are launching three Mandarin language Star channels on the US-based GekTV IPTV platform on 15 March 2008. The three channels are Star Chinese Channel, an entertainment channel in Taiwan; Channel [V] Taiwan, a music channel; and Star Chinese Movies, which is dedicated to Hong Kong films. Star is a wholly owned subsidiary of News Corporation, and broadcasts over 60 ...
Prices Set For New 4 Series Chipsets From Intel
by Rohan Parker
Intel To Scale Back Centrino Shipments
by Rohan Parker
Explorer 8 is set to be released by Microsoft
by Alan Harten
Winbond 4-channel codec for short-loop VoIP applications
by Jan HarrisWinbond Electronics Corp has introduced the W684386 four-channel Codec optimised for short-loop VoIP applications - an industry first according to the company. The W684386 is part of the Pro-X (programmable extended) series of Codec/SLIC devices, a highly integrated solution to support four FXS phone line interfaces on a single low-power CMOS device. Winbond claims that the device provides the best idle channel ...
February 28, 2008
Communications regulator, Ofcom, has produced draft guidelines for telecom and internet firms, regulating the additional charges companies can demand from customers. The regulator devised the new rules in response to complaints from customers about additional charges for paying bills by cheque or cash, ending contracts early or paying bills late. Under the guidelines, which cover home phones, mobile phones, broadband and pay ...
Ofcom demands clarity on telecom charges
by Jan HarrisCommunications regulator, Ofcom, has produced draft guidelines for telecom and internet firms, regulating the additional charges companies can demand from customers. The regulator devised the new rules in response to complaints from customers about additional charges for paying bills by cheque or cash, ending contracts early or paying bills late. Under the guidelines, which cover home phones, mobile phones, broadband and pay ...
Giesecke & Devrient develops new USB security tokens
by Jan HarrisGiesecke & Devrient is extending its range of USB security tokens with two new models. The StarSign USB Token model can be personalised in large numbers and can also be configured to suit project security requirements. Customers can choose between various proprietary or Java-based smart card operating systems from Giesecke & Devrient with differing security standards (such as FIPS 140-2 or EAL ...
Firefox 3 expands search functionality
by Janet HarrisSky extends HD offering with three new channels
by Janet Harris
Sky is extending its HD line-up with three new channels - Sky Sports HD 3, Sky Movies Premiere HD and FX HD. The channels will be launched in March and April this year.
FX HD will be a bespoke channel, as opposed to an FX simulcast, and around ...BlackBerry Pearl 8110 available on T-Mobile
by Janet Harris
T-Mobile UK and Research In Motion (RIM) are launching the new BlackBerry Pearl 8110 smartphone in a ‘Blue Slate’ colour, along with a new price plan.
T-Mobile's model has the same consumer-orientated features as the model launched on Vodafone in January. The compact and stylish phone includes a 2 megapixel camera, integrated ...IPTV unit launched by Sri Lanka Telecom
by Lin FreestoneSri Lanka Telecom has set up a subsidiary to broadcast IPTV to its broadband customers. The company plans to invest $1m in the initial launch of the SLT Visioncom unit. Sri Lanka Telecom considers that IPTV is a value-added service with strategic importance in the future broadband service portfolio of the company. Sri Lanka’s telecommunications company had more than 54,000 ADSL broadband ...
Three more HD channels from Sky
by Lin Freestone
Nokia 6682 Phone Review
by Franz Bicar
The subject of today's review is another Nokia smartphone, the Nokia 6682. The 6682 is a consumer oriented phone. This is clearly portrayed via its fashion-friendly candy bar style pearl case and its 1.3 megapixel camera that can function as a digital camera and as a camcorder. However, its not just these features that makes ...The digital TV mystery
by David AllenSharp LC-65SE94U HDTV
by Franz Bicar
Sharp's LC-65SE94U HDTV is setting a new standard in today's television market. The Special Edition AQUOS SE94U Series sets a new standard for large-screen flat-panel LCD TVs. Instead of single-colored bezel, the LC-65SE94U sets a new design with its graceful, artistic form that enhances any room's decorations.
With its FULL HD 1080p resolution, ...Virgin Media adds new customers
by David AllenCustomer service to be free at BT
by David AllenSetanta Christmas adverts ok
by David AllenTD-SCDMA sales in China level off
by David AllenDuring the fourth quarter of 2007 a total of 72 billion yuan's (US$969 million) worth of TD-SCDMA equipment was purchased by China Mobile Communications, China Telecom and China Network Communications. This is about the same as was purchased by the company's in the previous quarter. China Telecom and China Network both followed the lead of China Mobile, and began setting ...
HTC supply smartphones to Emobile
by David AllenTaiwan-based manufacturer High Tech Computer (HTC) will soon start shipping the HTC TyTN II 3.5G phone to Emobile, a Japan-based mobile telecom operator. Emobile will sell the device as the S11HT. The S11HT utilises and Windows Mobile operating system and is powered by a Qualcomm MSM 7200 400 GHz processor. Emobile will be using the phone, together with the ...
UK public not ready for digital TV switchover
by Alan Harten
February 27, 2008
Wisair, which provides single-chip based Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Wireless USB (WUSB) solutions, has completed a $24m funding round. The financing was led by Susquehanna Growth Equity (SGE), a US-based private equity fund. New investors included European company, Advent Venture Partners; Bridge Capital Fund of Japan; and Yasuda Ventures. Wisair recently developed the regulation and standards-approved WSR601 single-die CMOS chip. With the ...
Wisair Secures $24 Million in Funding
by Jan HarrisWisair, which provides single-chip based Ultra Wideband (UWB) and Wireless USB (WUSB) solutions, has completed a $24m funding round. The financing was led by Susquehanna Growth Equity (SGE), a US-based private equity fund. New investors included European company, Advent Venture Partners; Bridge Capital Fund of Japan; and Yasuda Ventures. Wisair recently developed the regulation and standards-approved WSR601 single-die CMOS chip. With the ...
Cambridge Consultants develops VoIP handset for xG Technology
by Jan HarrisCambridge Consultants is to design and develop a VoIP handset for Florida-based xG Technology Inc, in a multi-million dollar contract. xG Technology selected Cambridge Consultants for its expertise in developing innovative products and its ability to get product to market quickly. The TX60 next generation handset is capable of wide area operation enabled by xG’s proprietary xMax technology. It will significantly reduce ...
Pin and Chip Data Not Secure
by Lashan ClarkeThe researchers at the University of Cambridge have confirmed what the public knew all along, that the debit card and credt card readers are not safe. The data is not being encrypted on the pin pad, and as such, thieves are able to easily steal your data. The PIN pad gives a thief access to your private information. With a ...
Guest-Tek deploys WiFi at Center Parcs
by Jan HarrisGuest-Tek International Group Ltd has secured a deal with holiday company, Center Parcs, to deploy its OneView Internet platform at Center Parcs' Sherwood Forest resort. The WiFi network provides wireless high speed Internet access (HSIA) for guests at the resort, with Guest-Tek offering HSIA support to guests, around the clock. The Guest-Tek WiFi network can be accessed from Premium accommodation on the ...
Google extends InVideo format to partner sites
by Janet HarrisAfter successfully using its InVideo advertising format on video-sharing site YouTube, Google now plans to extend it to its video partner sites. The format will allow advertisers to run a single contextually-targeted video overlay campaign across a large network of sites. Internet TV platform, Brightcove, is supporting the trial service. InVideo uses text and graphical overlay adverts which appear semi-transparent over ...
Panasonic upgrades 103-inch plasma HDTV
by Janet Harris
Panasonic has announced an upgraded version of its 103-inch plasma set, which it launched last year.
The Panasonic TH-103PF10UK, one of the company's 10-series, has a full 1080p HD resolution.
It also features better wall mounting configuration than its predecessor, along with improved video processing technology which gives a sharp image when viewing ...Samsung i640 available on Vodafone site
by Janet Harris
Vodafone is offering the Samsung i640 phone, a successor to the Samsung i620, on its UK website.
The Samsung i640v Vodafone live! slider phone is a tri-band GSM/GPRS, 3G handset, with a two-megapixel camera and integrated memory card slot, expandable up to 4Gb MicroSD.
Battery life is better than on the earlier i620 ...
