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  • Skype to Acquire Qik

    Skype has announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Qik, a provider of mobile video software and services. Qik has 60 employees, and is headquartered in Redwood City, California and has an office in Moscow, Russia. The transaction is expected to close in January 2011. The companies informed that terms of the acquisition will not be disclosed.

    Qik was founded in 2006 and offers solutions to capture and share video with anyone across mobile devices, the web, and desktop platforms. Videos can be shared in real time or stored so moments can be viewed later, allowing for video messaging, sharing and archiving. The Qik service is available on over 200 mobile phones across the Android, iPhone, Symbian, Blackberry and Windows Mobile platforms, and comes pre-loaded on a wide variety of mobile handsets.

    Both Skype and Qik have a common purpose of enriching communications and sharing with video, across any device. According to Skype, the acquisition of Qik "helps accelerate Skype’s leadership in video by adding recording, sharing and storing capabilities to Skype’s product portfolio. Through this acquisition, Skype will also be able to leverage the engineering expertise that is behind Qik’s Smart Streaming technology, which optimizes video transmission over wireless networks."

    "The Qik team has delivered exceptional video experiences for its mobile partners and millions of end users across a range of devices," said Tony Bates, Skype’s Chief Executive Officer.

    "Skype’s software enables an estimated 25 percent of the world’s international long distance voice calling minutes*, and approximately 40 percent of those Skype-to-Skype calls are happening over video. Qik’s deep engineering capabilities and strong mobile relationships will be an impressive complementary fit with Skype," he added.

    Vijay Tella, Chief Executive Officer of Qik, said: "Qik has worked very hard to solve complex problems that allow millions of people everyday to take advantage of sharing their lives with those people who are most important to them. Joining Skype allows Qik’s team to unite with Skype’s talented team to develop new and innovative products for our customers and partners."

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  • Vonage Announces Successful Completion of Refinancing

    Vonage has announced the successful completion of its planned refinancing. According to the company, the new $200 million, five-year term loan facility provides Vonage with "a more efficient capital structure" and is the result of the its solid financial and operating performance highlighted by EBITDA and free cash flow generation of $150 million over the past twelve months.

    The company completed the refinancing on December 14, 2010, replacing its first, second and third lien debt totaling $194 million which carried interest rates ranging from 16% to 20%. The new lower cost facility will be accretive to 2011 net income by approximately 45% and will reduce interest expense by $20 million from 2010 (assuming constant LIBOR).

    According to Vonage, the new loan bears interest at LIBOR plus 8%, with a LIBOR floor of 1.75%, and carries far less restrictive covenants than those under the prior facility, providing the company with "enhanced operating and financial flexibility to invest for future growth and value creation." The new facility is pre-payable at par, allowing the company to retire debt with cash from operations at any time.

    Total interest expense savings from the Vonage’s recapitalization efforts throughout the year, which include prepayment at par of $41 million in debt, totals $116 million if the loans were outstanding to maturity. Vonage exits the refinancing with a clean balance sheet, low leverage of 1.5 times debt to last twelve months EBITDA and more than $70 million in cash.

    "Today’s announcement of our successful refinancing begins a new and exciting chapter in Vonage’s history," said Marc Lefar, Vonage’s Chief Executive Officer.

    "This transforming event, combined with our strong cash flow and the stabilization of our customer base, provides a very strong platform on which to continue to build the future of Vonage," he added.

    Vonage also said that upon completion of the refinancing, all third lien notes were converted into 8.3 million shares of the company’s common stock. The remaining charges associated with the retirement of the first, second and third lien debt, totaling approximately $60 million, will be recorded in the fourth quarter.

    Banc of America Securities LLC acted as lead arranger and bookrunning manager for the term loan Facility. Deutsche Bank Securities Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. acted as co-arrangers for the term loan facility.

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  • AT&T Acquires Wireless Spectrum From Qualcomm

    AT&T and Qualcomm announced that AT&T has agreed to purchase spectrum licenses in the Lower 700 MHz frequency band from Qualcomm for $1.925 billion. According to AT&T, the move "will bolster the company’s ability to provide an advanced 4G mobile broadband experience for its customers in the years ahead."

    Qualcomm currently uses the licenses to support the service business of FLO TV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm, and the sale follows Qualcomm’s previously announced plan to evaluate strategic options for the FLO TV business. Qualcomm says they expects that the FLO TV business and network will be shut down in March 2011.

    The spectrum covers more than 300 million people total nationwide: 12 MHz of Lower 700 MHz D and E block spectrum covers more than 70 million people in five of the top 15 U.S. metropolitan areas – New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Francisco; 6 MHz of Lower 700 MHz D block spectrum covers more than 230 million people across the rest of the U.S.

    As part of its longer-term 4G network plans, AT&T intends to deploy this spectrum as supplemental downlink, using carrier aggregation technology. This technology is designed to deliver substantial capacity gains and is expected to be enabled with the completion of 3GPP Release 10. AT&T expects to begin deploying this spectrum once compatible handsets and network equipment are developed.

    Qualcomm also said that it intends to integrate carrier aggregation technology into its chipset roadmap, to enable supplemental downlink to address increased consumer demand for rich mobile media content. AT&T also expects to deploy this technology.

    The companies anticipate closing the sale during the second half of calendar year 2011.

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  • Broadcom Announces New Android Platform to Enable Mass Market Smartphones

    Broadcom has announced a new baseband platform that provides simultaneous HSDPA modem connectivity and Android-based applications processing.

    According to the company, the new Broadcom BCM2157 dual-core baseband processor delivers high-end smartphone features on more affordable 3G Android handsets: this includes mobile hot-spot, multi-touch screens, innovative media and applications processing, "and other capabilities that will help handset makers drive these features to a larger tier of users."

    The BCM2157 baseband processor platform includes the following features:

    • 3G HSDPA modem supports 7.2 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream connectivity and worldwide roaming.
    • Built-in support for HVGA displays, multi-touch screens, 5 megapixel digital cameras, 3G dual SIM/dual standby, and other key smartphone capabilities.
    • Dual-core ARM processors for dedicated modem support and superior application processing (500MHz).
    • Broadcom’s complete connectivity suite, featuring Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC solutions, including InConcert technology that makes these various technologies work better together.
    • Support for mobile hotspot functionality, allowing the handset to share the 3G connection with up to 8 simultaneous devices or users via Wi-Fi.

    The platform is based on mature technology, building on the proven architecture of the BCM2153 and is now sampling to early access customers with first commercial launches expected in Q1 2011.

    "The smartphone continues to influence the cellular industry, with defining features like multi-touch screens and the ability to run applications now enriching lower cost handsets. We’ve maximized the functionality of our new Android-processing baseband platform to enable our partners to deliver the most popular features in more affordable designs," said Scott Bibaud, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom’s Mobile Platforms Group

  • VIZIO Unveils 65-inch Theater 3D Razor LED HDTV

    VIZIO announced the introduction of their new Theater 3D technology with the launch of the 65" Theater 3D Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Apps. The 65" XVT3D650SV is VIZIO’s largest HDTV ever.

    The company claims that their Theater 3D technology provides a superior alternative to conventional 3D by utilizing battery-free, affordable and lightweight 3D glasses causing less eyestrain than the current "Active Shutter" technology. According to VIZIO, "Theater 3D technology produces clear, flicker-free 3D images that are noticeably brighter than conventional 3D and eliminates costly and bulky 3D eyewear that requires batteries or charging."

    The XVT3D650SV supports a wide selection of 3D formats to ensure compatibility across Blu-ray, broadcast, cable, satellite, and gaming. In addition to the standard formats, VIZIO also supports SENSIO Hi-Fi 3D, the high quality, visually lossless 3D format that enables 3D content to be delivered over 2D infrastructure as well as RealD’s patented side-by-side format.

    VIZIO’s Smart Dimming technology in this Edge-Lit Razor LED intelligently controls its array of LEDs, which are organized in 32 zones. Working frame by frame, based on the content being displayed, Smart Dimming adjusts brightness in precise steps down to pure black (where the LED is completely off). This cutting edge technology minimizes light leakage, and enables a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 1 Million to 1, for blacker blacks and whiter whites on the same screen.

    The XVT3D650SV also features the latest VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA) Connected HDTV platform. Current Apps from top online content and service brands include: Amazon Video On Demand, Facebook, Flickr, Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Twitter, VUDU and Yahoo! TV Widgets. Additional Apps recently released include Fandango, Yahoo Fantasy Football, NBA Game Time, Wiki TV, My-Cast, MediaBox, TuneIn Radio, Web Videos and iMemories.

    "Our Theater 3D technology is a significant step forward in bringing a high-quality, immersive experience home to consumers," stated Matthew McRae, VIZIO CTO.

    "The bright and flicker-free images, extremely low crosstalk, and comfortable glasses allow extended viewing of content without the side-effects associated with the first generation of 3D technology. This is increasingly important as more content is released and 3D gaming goes mainstream," he added.

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  • iPhone 4 Turns up the Volume for MEMS Microphone Technology

    Highlighted by their adoption in Apple’s iPhone 4, microelectromechanical system (MEMS) microphones are set to achieve a more than 50 percent increase in shipments in 2010 and a fourfold rise by 2014, according to the market research firm iSuppli.

    Global MEMS microphone shipments are set to expand to 695.5 million units this year, up 57.7 percent from 441 million in 2009. By 2014, shipments will rise to 1.7 billion units, four times the total for 2009.

    MEMS microphones are tiny microphones that employ a pressure-sensitive diaphragm etched on a semiconductor using microelectromechanical technology. They are commonly employed in cell phones, headsets, notebook PCs and video cameras, replacing conventional electret condenser microphones (ECM).

    “In a major milestone, Apple in 2010 employed MEMS microphones in the iPhone 4, the first time the company used the technology in the iPhone line,” said Jérémie Bouchaud, director and principal analyst, MEMS, for iSuppli.

    “Although Apple previously used MEMS microphones in the fifth-generation iPod nano released in 2009, the company exclusively had been employing ECM technology in the iPhone line. With this move, Apple in 2010 will become the world’s second-largest buyer of MEMS microphones, behind Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd. Apple was the sixth largest buyer in 2009,” he added.

    Although they are significantly more expensive than ECM devices, MEMS microphones provide a host of advantages in terms of size, scalability, temperature stability and sound quality.

    The iPhone 4 employs two separate MEMS microphones for noise suppression, a technique that reduces background sounds to improve the clarity of voice communications. Although noise suppression has been available since 2006, the arrival of Motorola’s Droid as well as the iPhone 4 has caused the popularity of the technology—and of MEMS microphones—to soar. The majority of smart phones by 2014 will use two or more MEMS microphones.

    The mobile handset market in 2010 is the largest consumer of MEMS microphones, ahead of notebook PCs. Headsets will form the third largest user of MEMS microphones, due to their use by Apple. By 2014, mobile handsets and notebook PCs will still be the largest application for MEMS microphones, followed by slate-type tablets, such as Apple’s iPad.

    Since establishing the business in 2003, MEMS microphone pioneer Knowles Electronics has maintained market dominance, with the company set to account for more than 80 percent of shipments this year. The company has benefitted from its strong intellectual property portfolio. However, competition is rising, with three of the world’s five largest MEMS microphone suppliers now being Asian suppliers of conventional ECM—AAC Acoustic Technologies Holdings Inc., BSE Co. Ltd. and Hosiden Corp.—all of which recently added the product to their portfolio. These companies buy MEMS die from Infineon Technologies, package them and sell them, using their existing channels. Analog Devices Inc. is the only other pure MEMS company in the Top 5.

  • Fring Launches Dynamic Video Quality Mobile Calling

    fring announced the rollout of its network-optimized DVQ mobile video calling technology. The company’s proprietary DVQ (dynamic video quality) technology adjusts video bit rate and frame rate according to the specific device to match current network bandwidth during a call, delivering the best possible video picture quality for available bandwidth between call peers.

    Where network capacity is constrained, fring’s DVQ technology dynamically adapts the video picture quality, rather than losing the video call while providing the best possible audio quality. In addition, with an integrated DVQ indicator, fring intelligently notifies users of changes in their network strength in real time.

    According to fring, mobile eco-system resources are "core" to the company’s product’s design and its use: DVQ technology adjusts to match bandwidth at every point of every call. This adaptive nature allows for changing call conditions and network availability which translates into more connected calls and fewer dropped calls. Importantly, users enjoy rich video calling according to network congestion and in step with operator’s bandwidth availability – at all traffic hours.

    “In the year since pioneering mobile video calls, we’ve seen that users network conditions change dramatically during and between video calls. That’s the nature of mobile experiences in heterogeneous networks,” said Alex Nerst, Co-Founder & CTO of fring.

    "DVQ lets users make the best use of the peer- to- peer network capacity available at any moment during a video call, regardless of if they’re stepping into an elevator, commuting on a train or simply walking away from their WiFi hub," he added.

    DVQ technology is compatible with all mobile data bearers: 3G, 4G, WIMax and WiFi and is currently available from the iPhone App Store and the Android market.

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  • LG Unveils E90 LED Monitor

    LG has just unveiled its new E90 monitor, the company’s slimmest LED monitor to date at just 7.2 mm in depth. It will be available starting this month in select markets.

    In keeping with its ultra slim design, the LG E90 places the power supply and the socket connecting the monitor with the PC on the back of the stand, an innovation called EZ-cabling.

    According to LG, in addition to the reduced footprint offered by its light weight and slim size, the E90 manages to reduce both energy consumption – as much as 40 percent less than conventional CCFL-backlit LCD monitors – and use of hazardous materials such as halogen and mercury in its manufacturing.

    The E90 is a good choice for watching action movies or sporting matches because, with a response time of just 2 milliseconds, the monitor’s display "remains clear and bright" even during fast-moving action sequences. Additionally, LG’s Image Booster software, blurry streaming content from video sites such as YouTube are significantly enhanced so they look terrific on the E90’s vivid display, as the company claims.

    "The E90 is the result of advanced technology and beautiful design coming together in perfect alignment," said Si-hwan Park, Vice President of LG’s monitor division.

    "With its revolutionary features in terms of design and picture quality, the E90 is the leading example of the company’s "SUPER LED" monitor line that is setting new benchmarks for style and performance," he added.

  • TI's OMAP4440 Processor Boasts New Upgrades

    Texas Instruments announced that the OMAP4440 applications processor enhancements deliver "impressive performance improvements" beyond the OMAP4430 processor, including a 1.25x increase in graphics performance, a 30 percent decrease in webpage load time, a 2x increase in 1080p video playback performance and clock speeds as fast as 1.5 GHz per ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore.

    According to TI, these marked performance advantages, along with other feature enhancements, reaffirm the OMAP 4 platform’s ability to drive today’s most coveted Smartphone and tablet user experiences, such as 1080p stereoscopic 3D (S3D), 1080p video conferencing and gesture recognition.

    "The increased performance given by the OMAP4440 applications processor illustrates TI’s ability to push mobile computing possibilities with the right processor architecture enveloped in the right platform," said Remi El-Ouazzane, vice president, OMAP platform business unit, TI.

    "We seized an opportunity to enhance the platform capabilities driving the OMAP4430 processor’s success today. As OMAP4430 processor-based products hit the market in first half 2011, we’re arming our customers with a huge performance boost via an easy migration to OMAP4440 processor for their next wave of exciting devices. The resulting user experiences will radically impact how consumers continue to integrate mobile technology into their daily lives," he added.

    The OMAP 4 platform is a highly-optimized system-on-chip (SOC) leveraging two ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore general-purpose processors, reaching speeds of 1.5 GHz per core, complemented by two ARM Cortex-M3 cores to power-efficiently offload time-critical and control tasks.

    High-performance multimedia capabilities are provided by programmable cores including a POWERVR 3D graphics engine, TI IVA 3 for high-definition/multi-standard video, TI image signal processor (ISP) for high-quality/high-megapixels imaging, TI low-power audio processor and TI digital signal processor (DSP) based on the TI C64x DSP for natural user interface and signal processing innovations optimized for mobile applications.

    The OMAP 4 platform supports concurrent, high-performance processing and high-definition multimedia with dual, high-bandwidth memory channels. The platform is secured with TI M-Shield security, and delivers high performance within the small power budget of mobile devices by leveraging TI SmartReflex™ power and performance management technologies.

    The company has informed that OMAP4440 applications processor will sample in first quarter 2011, with production expected by the second half of 2011. These products are intended for high-volume wireless OEMs and ODMs and are not available through distributors.

  • KDDI to Deliver Video Conferencing Service

    Vidyo has announced that KDDI, a carrier headquartered in Japan will deliver a video conferencing service based on Vidyo’s multi-point, telepresence-quality solution. VidyoConferencing enables carriers, service providers and unified communications vendors to offer SVC-based video conferencing technology that delivers telepresence-quality over the Internet or general purpose IP networks.

    KDDI’s service will be available in Japan in January 2011.

    According to Vidyo, its architecture is the first in a new generation of software solutions that leverages the H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) video compression standard enabling a video stream to be broken into multiple resolutions, quality levels and bit rates. Utilizing this capability and Vidyo´s intellectual property, VidyoTechnology eliminates the Multipoint Control Unit (MCU), and offers unprecedented error resiliency enabling natural, high quality video to work over the Internet, LTE, 3G and 4G networks.

    Because Vidyo’s solution is software-based, it can easily be expanded, upgraded, and customized for customers’ individual Enterprise and vertical market video conferencing needs.

    "As the first SVC-based solution to eliminate the transcoding MCU, Vidyo reduces the latency in the video stream so our customers will enjoy superb, natural, telepresence-quality solution over KDDI’s Wide Area Virtual Switch Service, even over the Internet or wireless networks."said Yasuhisa Yamada, General Manager of Data Network Product Planning Department at KDDI.

    Ofer Shapiro, co-founder and CEO of Vidyo, said: "Carriers today need enterprise-ready, highly scalable, telepresence-quality solutions that can address both desktop and room system requirements. By leveraging our patented solution, KDDI is able to provide their customers with a communications service that is on the leading edge of video conferencing with bandwidth guaranteed circuits and best-effort network. KDDI’s service is further evidence of the growing worldwide interest and support we’re seeing today from service providers for our SVC-based video communication solutions."