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  • QStar Technologies Joins Active Archive Alliance as a Founding Partner

    QStar Technologies announced today that it has joined the Active Archive Alliance as a founding partner.

    The Active Archive Alliance is a non-profit storage industry association dedicated to promoting active archives for simplified, online access to all archived data.

    Organizations are archiving increasing amounts of data as they grapple with data growth, retention compliance rules and the need to leverage the knowledge and information within their organization.

    As organizations archive more data, the challenge of accessing that data when needed has intensified. Active archive solutions resolve this issue by turning offline archives into visible, accessible extensions of online storage systems – enabling fast, easy access to archived data.

    The industry trend toward active archiving is being enabled and accelerated by recent advancements in active archive applications as well as archive tape and disk storage technologies. Today’s innovative applications provide the ability to see and access data on tape through a file system interface, making it easy and affordable to view and search archived data files in large heterogeneous online active tape and disk storage pools.

    “QStar is excited to be a founding member of the Active Archive Alliance,” said Dave Thomson, senior vice president of sales, QStar Technologies.

    “Our company has exclusively offered solutions in the archive world for more than 23 years and completely endorses the messages involved in Active Archiving, namely combining disk and tape technologies to maximize the benefits of each. An active archive offers optimized performance and data security for an organization’s most valuable resource: its data.”

    QStar offers a wide range of data migration and archiving software solutions that allow organizations to tailor-make a cost-effective archive that precisely fits their individual requirements. Specifically designed for mixed system and data types, QStar supports the entire enterprise, including servers and clients using Windows, Linux, UNIX and Mac. The product suite also allows for storage and retrieval to disk and tape solutions situated locally or, for disaster prevention purposes, remotely.

    QStar’s Network Migrator software utilizes advanced policy management for storage virtualization and data lifecycle management. Data Director HSM software, built for enterprise level archives, creates a virtual hard disk system on tape media and mirrors it for disaster prevention. QStar solutions work to create secure archives that allow seamless access to data using standard interfaces and protocols across the network.

    Active archiving eliminates the typical trade-off between keeping data visible in online disk arrays and moving the data to more cost-effective near-line or off-line tape. It enables organizations to keep all archive data online, searchable and quickly accessible, while ensuring media and data integrity and simplified management.

    In addition to QStar, founding technology partners of the Active Archive Alliance include Compellent Technologies, FileTek Inc., and Spectra Logic Corporation.

    The mission of the Active Archive Alliance is to provide organizations with the best practices, tools and information they need to achieve simplified access to the online storage of their archived data. Please visit www.activearchive.com for more information about the Active Archive Alliance and to become a member.

  • SES ASTRA and Samsung to Promote 3D TV

    SES ASTRA and Samsung announced today that they will jointly promote 3D television to the market. Under the terms of the agreement, Samsung will support SES ASTRA with 3D television content for its new 3D demo channel to be launched on 4 May 2010.

    The demo channel will be broadcast free-to-air via ASTRA’s orbital position 23.5 degrees East, and is intended to help retailers promote 3D television to end-consumers at the point of sale.

    Ferdinand Kayser, President and CEO of SES ASTRA, said: “The new ASTRA 3D demo channel demonstrates the huge advantages of satellite for the transmission of high quality 3D TV signals, and the leading role of SES ASTRA in driving innovations in broadcasting technology. We are proud to partner with Samsung, and we are confident that 3D television will become the next driver for the home entertainment market.”

    SH Shin, President and CEO of Samsung Electronics Europe, added: “As the first manufacturer to bring 3D television to the consumer market, Samsung is at the forefront of 3D innovation. By partnering with SES ASTRA, Samsung will be the first manufacturer to demonstrate live streamed 3D content through this free promotional channel, and can showcase the full capability of its innovation in 3D technology. The content we provide to ASTRA’s 3D channel will help consumers to realise the true potential of the 3D television experience.”

    The launch of ASTRA’s 3D channel will take place on 4 May at the ANGA Cable trade show in Cologne, Germany. The transmission details for the channel will be communicated shortly.

  • TalkFree Launches PickRoute VoIP Termination Service

    TalkFree, an international VoIP carrier, has launched PickRoute, an A-to-Z VoIP termination service for small and medium-sized businesses and resellers already utilizing a VoIP switch or IP PBX.

    By employing SIP Trunking, customers connect to the service and access TalkFree’s network and routing technologies and over 60 telecom carriers managed by the company’s Global Intelligent Routing software.

    TalkFree’s GIR continuously monitors network performance and makes automated route changes. According to Ona Stewart, director of buying and routing at TalkFree, the beauty of the GIR is that once you understand the trends of a country you can set the measurements for the route and it will change itself based on the data history. .

    “This ensures that our customers always have access to the highest-quality connections. It also allows TalkFree to manage a massive network with less manpower, which translates to better pricing for our customers,” she said.

    TalkFree operates primarily in the Middle East and Africa with targeted growth coming from Southeast Asia and rural areas of South America. They specialize in assisting local in-country communications providers by delivering a turnkey, plug-and-play VoIP “business in a box”.

    According to the company, its multiple access techniques ensure high-quality voice connections regardless of internet traffic volumes. All applications are managed in real time, in local language and local currency, and are supported by customer service experts who are available 24/7.

  • Mobile Handset Industry Considers Recession to be Over

    According to recent iSuppli report, the mobile handset industry is proclaiming the end of the recession for the segment following an outstanding final quarter of 2009 and a projected substantial growth for smart phones in 2010.

    The report shows that the mobile handset industry closed 2009 with shipments of 1.15 billion handset units.

    While that number is down from the overall 2008 figure of 1.2 billion handsets, shipments in the fourth quarter of 2009 represented the culmination of an increasing growth pattern throughout all of last year. Compared to third-quarter shipments of 290 million, about 335 million mobile handsets shipped in the fourth quarter, up 15.5 percent.

    “Given the recovery of the market in the final quarter of 2009, and with Europe, Latin America and the Middle East/Africa regions doing exceptionally well during the period, the recession can be said to be officially over for the industry. The continued growth this year of total handsets—up a projected 11.3 percent to 1.3 billion units—further bolsters such a view,” iSuppli maintains.

    Among the various handset categories, smartphones are projected to expand 35.5 percent in 2010. According to the report, smartphone growth will be driven by a number of promising developments, including the introduction of entry-level smart-phones, enthusiasm from vendors across the mobile phone and PC industries, the prevalence of 3G network deployments and the promotion of data-centric services in mature markets.

    With handset shipments in the fourth quarter of 2009 amounting to approximately 257.6 million units, the Top 5 players accounted for a whopping 77 percent share of the total handset market.

    The report says that Nokia remained the leader of the handset market, shipping 126.9 million handsets during the period, giving it a 37.9 percent share of market. Runner-up Samsung, which has introduced its own smart-phone operating system, held the No. 2 spot with 20.6 percent share.

    The remainder of the Top 5 are rounded out by LG Electronics, in third place with 10.1 percent share; Sony Ericsson in fourth, with 4.4 percent share; and Chinese giant ZTE, whose impressive 77 percent growth from the earlier quarter vaulted it into fifth place, with a 4.0 percent share.

    A second Chinese handset manufacturer, Huawei, landed in seventh place after also finishing an outstanding quarter with 82.4 percent growth.

    “Together, the two Chinese companies indicate the strong momentum occurring in the emerging market as well as an increasing presence in Europe on their part with key operators,” said Tina Teng, iSuppli senior analyst.

  • AT&T Releases Mobile Conferencing App for iPhone

    Mobile conferencing iPhone App from AT&T is now available on the App Store.

    It integrates multiple conferencing products including audio conferencing, web conferencing and video conferencing into a single UC application.

    The app includes the following features and functionality, depending on connectivity:

    • View whiteboard
    • Call Me and Dial In features that simplify audio setup
    • Interactive participants list: See/hear the other participants in the conference, their emoticons and mode of connection
    • Use emoticons to signal opinion
    • Alert other participants when stepping in or out of the conference
    • Use notes to chat with one or all participants
    • Answer polls
    • Host an event
    • Invite others to join an event

    According to Ron Spears, president and CEO of AT&T Business Solutions, converging communications technologies are driving business demand for integrated voice, web and video conferencing services, to reduce costs and speed decisions.

    “Collaboration across a broad sweep of individuals – employees, suppliers and partners, as well as across geographic and organizational boundaries – is a daily necessity. AT&T is bringing its Unified Communications capabilities to integrate voice, email, messaging and web conferencing in business apps that drive the productivity of businesses regionally, nationally and globally,” he said.

    AT&T Connect supports virtual meetings with both internal and external participants. The service can be provisioned to include standalone audio conferencing, multi-point video, regular/mobile phone and VoIP-based audio, application sharing, whiteboard/presentation, web touring, polling, reporting, recording and editing.

  • RIM Announces BlackBerry MVS 5 with Voice over Wi-Fi Calling

    RIM announced BlackBerry Mobile Voice System 5 with voice over Wi-Fi calling. It works with Cisco UC Manager and enables a business user to use their regular desk phone number and extension from their BlackBerry smartphone.

    According to RIM, with the new version 5, an employee will be able to use a single work phone number shared between their desk phone and BlackBerry smartphone and make and receive enterprise calls on their BlackBerry over a Wi-Fi connection, adding to the existing capability available over cellular networks.

    Calls made through BlackBerry MVS 5 are routed through the corporate phone system/PBX, which helps with adherence to company policies and enables potential savings on long-distance and international roaming charges. It’s easy to use since incoming calls ring simultaneously on the employee’s desk phone and BlackBerry and employees access BlackBerry MVS using the same phone interface that they are already familiar with on their BlackBerry.

    RIM and Cisco have worked closely to integrate BlackBerry MVS 5 with Cisco UC Manager. The solution has been tested for interoperability and will be supported by both RIM and Cisco.

    RIM claims that advanced IT features built into BlackBerry MVS 5 will help to provide “controlled, managed and secure” use of BlackBerry smartphones with the corporate phone system.

    Key features include:
    • Wi-Fi network access controls to set which Wi-Fi networks employees can access
    • Network preference settings with the option of prioritizing the use of Wi-Fi or cellular for making phone calls
    • Authentication to help ensure that only authorized BlackBerry smartphones have access to the corporate phone system
    • Incoming call filtering based on allowed and blocked caller lists

    The company informed that they are working with other companies to make BlackBerry MVS available for a range of PBX systems.

    BlackBerry MVS 5 is expected to be available later this year.

  • Turbulence Ahead for Cloud Computing

    Cloud computing took a serious hit with Google’s exit from search business, and its subsequent service issues, in mainland China, announced Canalys.

    While cloud solutions will remain appealing for certain customers with limited international ambitions, the platform’s inherent security and access issues will herald a shift back to traditional software models, said the industry analyst group in a recently issued report.

    ‘The two biggest trends in the IT industry – the rise of cloud computing and China’s emergence as a global growth engine – have just collided with a bang,’ said Steve Brazier, President and CEO of Canalys.

    ‘The hacking of Google’s systems in China has demonstrated that security weaknesses in the cloud have moved from a possibility to an actuality.’

    Canalys maintains that legacy software companies that reposition themselves for local services, or at least a mixed model, stand to benefit the most from cloud computing flaws, as customers demand increased security and access controls: ‘Customers will want global solutions that help them decide what information is stored where, coupled with systems that function competently, even when Internet access is down or restricted,’ said Brazier.

    As companies have sensitive information across many domains – finance, HR, legal, R&D and marketing, among others – a security breach anywhere could have devastating and far-reaching effects. Likewise, the regulatory threat posed by the local political landscape in emerging countries will influence multinationals’ choice of software platform moving forward.

    ‘It would be extraordinarily naïve for a company to believe Google’s situation with China is unique,’ said Brazier. ‘All the US giants have struggled, while local Internet brands have snagged top positions across major areas, such as search, auctions and video sharing.’

    Late entry, language and cultural issues, such as failure to adapt to local market trading conditions, combined with site performance, have encouraged customers to stick with local solutions in China. Similarly, other emerging regions, such as the Middle East, Russia and Indonesia, are capable of making unilateral business decisions to the detriment of foreign companies, while the situation in India and Brazil – more stable for now – could change due to the influence of neighboring countries.

    According to Canalys, cloud computing will not disappear for some time, due to the continued support of US-based proponents, which have yet to see the model’s challenges in emerging markets. Smaller companies, more willing to live with risks, and public bodies, mainly restricted to national borders, will be less concerned about international access issues and local hacking threats.

    The future of cloud computing will be a key technology track at EMEA’s largest and most influential annual channel event, the Canalys Channels Forum, being held from 5-7 October at the Hotel Arts in Barcelona. This two-day, invitation-only event will feature senior one-to-one meetings, business-savvy keynotes, research into industry and channel trends, and expert-led debates among an audience of more than 500 executives from top vendors, distribution management, leading SMB resellers and Canalys analysts. More information about the event can be found at www.canalyschannelsforum.com.

  • Toshiba Develops 21-inch Autostereoscopic HD Display

    Toshiba has developed a 21-inch autostereoscopic high-definition display for use in next-generation 3D monitors that enables the user to enjoy three-dimensional images without the need for special glasses.

    In recent years, a combination of increasing demands for more realistic images and evolving display technology has been the catalyst for advancements in the development of 3D images and pictures for various applications, and has enabled 3D technology to be put to practical use in the cinema and television industries.

    To date most 3D products have used special glasses to separate a picture into two images: one for the left eye and the other for the right eye. But the market has strongly desired a more versatile and glasses-free approach that could be used anywhere. This new product employs an integral imaging system (a “light field” display) to reproduce a real object as a 3D image that can be viewed without glasses over a wide range of viewing angles. Therefore, the display is suitable for 3D monitors used for advertisements and entertainment appliances.

    The integral imaging system offers a significant reduction in eye fatigue during long periods of viewing, and features a multi-parallax design that enables motion parallax, which cannot be achieved by systems using glasses. The multi-parallax approach results in images that change depending on the viewer’s position. In addition, the viewing angle is wide, and the resulting stereoscopic image is natural and smooth. In some previous integral imaging implementations, there have been issues raised relating to the loss of effective image resolution.

    In previous implementations, if the number of pixels in the display is kept constant and not increased, then the multi-parallax approach will reduce the effective resolution of the 3D display in an inverse proportion to the number of parallax positions. We have addressed this problem by applying LTPS (low-temperature poly-silicon) technology to develop an ultra-high-definition LCD module for this newly-introduced high-definition and large-screen 3D display.

    This 21-inch auto-stereoscopic high-definition display adopts a lens sheet to control reduction in surface luminance intensity, resulting in brightness comparable to standard 2D displays. The power consumption of the display is relatively low. The new 21-inch display is considered to be environmentally friendly with low power usage.

    Furthermore, the display can be used in a vertical or horizontal position. When used in the vertical position, the user faces the upright screen from the front as a person would usually use a 2D monitor. However, when used in the horizontal position, the user overlooks the stereoscopic image formed by the display lying face-up, as one would overlook a relief model. Compared with the front view, the 3D images seen face-up from the bird’s eye view are more stereoscopic and realistic.

    Toshiba  will showcase this display in booth #631 at SID 2010 International Symposium, Seminar, and Exhibition, from May 25 to May 27, 2010, in Seattle, WA, USA.

  • Rubberduck’s Mobile TV Solution Now Supports HTTP Streaming

    Rubberduck, a provider of streaming mobile TV services, is upscaling initiatives in HTTP streaming.

    The HTTP streaming infrastructure is already completely integrated with the company’s technical platform, meaning that existing customers may now be served with the same levels of mobile TV carrier grade services.

    The company has now completed the first phase of an ongoing program to provide a new streaming infrastructure built around HTTP streaming, enabling a more robust and flexible live TV and video-on-demand service.

    HTTP, a web standard that has been around for some time, is now being widely adopted for video delivery to mobile devices. The use of this protocol for streaming has been adopted by Apple for their devices, including the iPhone and iPad Operating System.

    The protocol has also been pledged by the likes of Microsoft and Adobe, and with this move Rubberduck is ensuring that its customers can continue to deliver high quality web video to a new generation of mobile devices. In addition, new features such as ‘Step Back in time’, allowing users to rewind while watching videos, are now possible using HTTP.

    “We have been leading this mobile space with RTSP (Real Time Streaming Protocol), and now we are able to extend our award winning capabilities to HTTP-based services”, said Erling Paulsen, CEO of Rubberduck.

    Rubberduck has supported iPhone streaming to date using a proprietary video player in its TV app but this will become unnecessary with the new streaming infrastructure as streams can now be accessed directly via the iPhone’s browser.

    The company claims that the launch of their white labelled iPhone app created specifically for telecom operators last year generated huge increases in our platform traffic. They ensure that they are now prepared for the increase that will surely continue as they roll out more HTTP streaming services.

    Related articles
    MWC 2010: Interview with Miguel Silva, CCO of Rubberduck
    The Channer: Bringing TV to Your Mobile Phone

  • certgate Launches Complete Security Solution for Smartphones

    Mobile security firm certgate is launching its complete security solution for smartphones at the Infosecurity 2010 fair in London. Based on the certgate Smartphone Protector, the new solution secures three dimensions: mobile device access, data in motion and voice communication.

    The company says it is the first security solution ever for mobile phones that provides complete protection for mobile communication on the basis of hardware-secured certificates.

    “Reliably defending all potential points of attack on a smartphone, it shields against spyware and malware, protects user data from loss and manipulation, stops unauthorised access to data communication, and even secures voice communication from any form of interception,” according to the release.

    The technology of hardware-based device protection and data encryption is at the core of a “top-security” project named ‘SiMKo2’, developed by certgate’s integrator partner T-Systems International, to provide secure mobile communication to the German Federal Government, public administration and selected enterprises. This solution – nicknamed ‘Merkelphone’ – will now be enhanced by certgate with a ciphony module running on VoIP.

    certgate claims their solution resists all spyware and malware attacks on mobile phones as well as ‘man-in-the-middle’ attacks. In the event of loss or theft, the certgate Smartphone Protector eliminates the danger of data being circulated or misused: the phone is absolutely inaccessible and its memory remains undecryptable, even under laboratory conditions.

    As it runs on off-the-shelf smartphones, the certgate solution is said to be cost-effective. “Enterprises can benefit from the growth potential and cost-savings of mobile business models without having to buy ‘crypto phones’ that come with a heavy price tag,” as the company claims.

    certgate’s voice encryption application, which is integrated in the smartphone’s normal GUI and directory of contacts, makes use of and is interoperable with SIP and RTP protocols. It works well in PKI environments and runs on a broad variety of Windows Mobile-based smartphones, with further platforms on the way according to certgate.