Business News Holding

Author: Antony Maina

Amplicomms Power Tel M9000 ‘Grandoid’ – Smartphone for Seniors

Amplicomms, a mobile phone company, has introduced a new phone specifically tailored for senior citizens. PowerTel M9000, nicknamed ‘Grandoid’, has a loud ringtone that makes it great for people with hearing impairment. The easy-to-read-screen also makes it ideal for people with impaired sight.

There is also an easy to access SOS button at the rear. The phone uses Android that has been really simplified so as not to confuse the older people.

On top of having louder than normal handset volume, this phone is also compatible with many hearing aids. Seniors also have the opportunity to download their favorite music onto the phone.

The Amplicomms Power Tel M9000 also features Bluetooth and therefore it connects to a range of devices, including induction loops, other phones, computers, tablets and in-car audio system.

To add to its abilities, the phone uses a clever caller ID system that reads out the phone number.

The ‘Grandoid’ also comes with a 2-year warranty, so seniors can have considerable peace of mind.

November 18, 2014
New Bitcasa CloudFS Platform Released

Cloud storage provider Bitcasa has recently announced the introduction of Bitcasa CloudFS. The new platform enables developers to have control over user data, making it possible to create applications that make use of Bitcasa’s secure and scalable cloud infrastructure.

The platform also features the Bitcasa CloudFS API that enables developers to seamlessly incorporate the Bitcasa platform with other third party applications.

In November last year, the Programmable Web reported the launching of a unique developer program by Bitcasa and that it had introduced the Bitcasa API. Later on in May this year, the company then announced that there was limited availability of Bitcasa CloudFS platform and just last month the company announced the open Beta launch of the new Bitcasa CloudFS APIs.

Bitcasa CloudFS platform is different from other cloud storage platforms in that everything that is uploaded to Bitcasa is first encrypted on the user’s machine before it is transferred to Bitcasa’s servers.

In addition, anything uploaded and stored in it cannot be identified as it does not retain the names of the files and neither can the content of the files uploaded be seen.

Bitcasa CEO Brian Taptich told Programmable Web that by August this year, over 7,000 Bitcasa CloudFS accounts had been opened. He also said that a wide range of apps have been incorporated in the revamped platform.

Taptich also confirmed that that the company is regionalizing the data storage to make it possible for uploaded files to be stored in the same region or country as the device used to upload them. For instance, if a Bitcasa user uploads a file while in the US; it would be stored in a server situated in the US.

Bitcasa is also planning on coming up with more specific enterprise features like LDAP Integration and Active Directory.

November 3, 2014
Conversant Gets into ISP

Conversant seems focused on getting their hands on ISP, as they recently launched a broadband service that helps its customers to get the most of VoIP.

The broadband service, dubbed C-Net, is specifically designed to fit businesses and it is available to all PABX Conversant hosted customers.

Conversant’s managing director, Cameron Beattie, said during the launch that the introduction of C-Net is just a move by the company to ensure cloud communications like hosted PBX and VoIP are “as seamless as possible for users.”

According to the company, having a single provider for both broadband services and cloud communications will reduce the complexity of the services for users since they will only have a single organization providing these “essential” services.

This new service is now available on VDSL, ADSL, and fiber connections, including UFB connections provided by Ultrafast Fiber, Enable Networks, and Chorus.

The ADSL plans together with 30GB of data costs as low as $60 a month.

October 21, 2014
Apple Launches iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3 and 5K Retina iMac

Apple has released what it says is the thinnest tablet in the market – the iPad Air 2. The new iPad is expected to retail at about $499 while the newly released iPad mini 3 will cost about $399. Preorders start today, both iPads will be available in 29 countries starting later next week

The iPad Air 2 comes with a Touch ID fingerprint sensor and it is just 0.24 inches thick. The device also comes with a faster A8X processor. The new iPad also features an anti-reflective coating.

The iPad mini 3 also got Touch ID fingerprint sensor, so users can make purchases within apps using Apple Pay.

To top it all, Apple also announced the introduction of a new iMac with 5K Retina display. As a matter of fact, Apple says that the new iMac has the highest resolution display in the market at the moment.

The new iMac features a 27-inch display and a 5k resolution (5210×2880 pixels). This is almost 5x more detailed than the 1080p full HD TV.

The new iMac is now available for sale and the basic model retails at $2,499.

During the event, Apple also announced an upgraded version of the Mac Mini.

Closing it up, Apple also added that iOS 8.1, which supports Apple Pay, would be available starting Monday.

October 17, 2014
Google Launches $105 Android One Phone

Google launched $105 smartphone in an event that took place in India. This device is the first Android One’s initiative that aims at promoting sales in the emerging major markets through improved software quality and cheaper prices.

Google bonded with handset makers from India Micromax, Spoice Mobiles, and Karbonn to introduce the 6,399 Rupees phone. It targets the fast-thriving low-cost part of the world where the smartphone market is growing the fastest.

After the launch in India, Google announced that it plans to take Android One to Philippines, Indonesia, and several other South Asian states by the beginning of 2015.

Google is partnering with other companies including HTC, Panasonic and Acer to develop many more devices under Android One.

Google is aiming at using Android One to come up with higher quality software and hardware by offering the handset developers a frame of reference. A greater sale on Android One smartphones translates to more access to Internet and more usage of Google’s wide variety of products.

The availability of cheaper smartphones in the Indian Market has made it possible for many people to own smartphones for the first time. In a recent research, it was found out that 10 percent of the Indian population that owns smartphones currently is expected to double within the next four years.

India has over 80 smartphone brands and the research pointed out that if Android One is to compete with Motorola, China Xiaomi, and Samsung, it has to offer its customers more than just affordability.

Together with creating web content for its Indian customers, Google is also working towards making YouTube videos accessible to its users. It has also made new Android phones accessible in seven different Asian languages, Hindu included.

October 14, 2014
LG Curved Ultra HD 4K OLED TVs Finding Their way to US

After the showcasing of the Curved Ultra HD 4K OLED TV at IFA 2014, LG is this week showcasing it once more at CEDIA Expo. However, this time round it is bringing good news – the 65-inch model will be available in the market in October, while the 77-inch model will be available in November.

Before IFA, LG had introduced the 65EC9700 and the 77EG900, the two TVs that attempt to join two TV markets: the 4K OLED and the curved screens displays. Curved TV screens are relatively new in the market but they are already turning heads and getting good sales.

While the OLED technology is not new in the market, LG’s giant TV screen is the first of its kind bearing an Ultra HD resolution.

LG is also flaunting its WRGB, the “W” meaning a fourth white subpixel. This is in addition to the common green, red, and blue. This increases the TV’s brightness, which is quite useful having in mind that the OLED has no backlighting.

The OLED displays are also considerably thinner than the LCDs, thus giving LG’s displays both curves and thinness. In addition to the pixel densities and the attractive outward appearance, these TVs are smart TVs as they have WebOS on the metal.

The 65-inch 65EC9700 will be going for $9,999, while the 77-inch 77EG9700 will be retailing at $24,999.

While the 65-inch model will be available nationwide, the 77-inch TV set will be available in selected retailers.

October 9, 2014
GLDS and Alianza Launch Cloud VoIP Partnership

The cloud voice platform company, Alianza, announced successful integration and new solution partnership with GLDS’ WinCable. GLDS is a provider of customer management, billing, and broadband service for SMEs. The new partnership is said to “dramatically” reduce the cost of VoIP services and at the same time simplifie VoIP management.

Alianza and WinCable are together offering a cloud-based solution that includes comprehensive back-office functions and voice service delivery. Other services include number activation, customer service, billing, and account creation.

According to the companies, the new partnership has so far been able to eliminate over 50% of the systems used to support and deliver VoIP and at the same time it has automated work-flow thus driving down costs of operation.

The GLDS president Garrick Russel said in a statement that they believe the most agile approach and the lowest cost to broadband can be found in the cloud. He added that the new solution partnership will make it faster, easier, and less costly for both small and large service providers to manage and deploy VoIP.

The two companies will be at SCTE Cable-Tec Expo in Denver.

October 9, 2014
Vizio’s New P-Series Ultra HD TVs now up for Grabs

It is now official: Vizio’s P-Series TVs are available after the company showcased them at CES 2014. The new TVs come in a variety of screen sizes, including 50, 55, 60, 65, and 70 inches. The price ranges from $999.99 to $2,499.99.

The P-Series come with the VIA Plus smart TV abilities and also have a full-array LED backlighting that provides great light uniformity together with local dimming abilities.

The new UHD TVs have been designed to offer users with unparalleled UHD streaming and “best-in-class picture quality that delivers true 4K performance.”

Besides the high quality pictures, the P-Series also offers users interested in quick moving content or sports with the Vizio’s Clear Action Rate 960. The 960 allows users to enjoy “smooth, crisp” pictures and it also comes with “superior motion clarity” when watching fast moving scenes.

The Active Pixel Tuning and Advanced Color Management also enhance the images.

The P-Series also comes with V6 six-core processor that is comprised of a dual-core CPU and a quad-core GPU. Vizio has also added the VM50 to ensure users get the high quality pictures.

You can now pre-order the P-Series at Vizio.com. The TVs will son be available at retailers, including Amazon, Costco, Walmart, Best Buy, and Target among others.

October 3, 2014
Ubiquiti Networks Finally Makes Entrance Into VoIP Market

Ubiquiti Networks has recently announced their formal entry into the enterprise VoIP market with UniFi platform. This wireless communication vendor addresses wireless backhaul, video surveillance, routing, fixed wireless broadband, machine-to-machine communications, and enterprise Wi-Fi.

The company’s business model is based on a community concept. In order to improve and develop their products, a group of services providers, distributors, and VARs work hand in hand with the engineers of the company. This in turn keeps the costs down, improves market time, and allows the company to have market prices that are considered disruptive by competitors.

Ubiquiti was recently involved in an RFP involving their evaluation against four other different conventional Wi-Fi vendors and while the company may not offer the same wide set of features as you may find in other vendors, they still provide high quality Wi-Fi.

On your first encounter with Ubiquiti, it is possible to have doubts as to whether the model could actually work. However, its community approach has created a scalable organization model that is very cost effective. The company has only 183 employees, 111 of whom are solely dedicated to R & D.

The Ubiquiti revenues in FY08 totaled to $22.4 million and a whopping $320 million in FY13. During FY14, the company is anticipated to make $560 million. Most of the revenues come from the developing markets.

September 22, 2014
VMware Discloses Hybrid Cloud Service

VMware continues its expansion of hybrid cloud platform currently available in over 75% of the global cloud market.The company has revealed the capabilities of the new hybrid cloud service together with the third party mobile app services, whose design “seeks to allow application and enterprise developers to easily support the changing needs of contemporary businesses.”

Currently, many businesses look up to the contemporary mobile apps in order to drive loyalty, differentiation, and revenue. This is according to the general manager and executive vice president of the Hybrid Cloud Service VMware, Business unit, Bill Fathers.

Bill further added that VMware is continuing with its pace of their cloud expansion with the aim of making their vCloud Air the leading hybrid cloud platform in the industry for deploying, building, scaling, and operating the more recent mobile-cloud applications.

It has only been a year since the introduction of VMware vCloud Air and the hybrid’s cloud platform has swiftly stretched their global footprint and now provides Asia-Pacific, US, and the European business of different sizes with the most reliable path to cloud.

Currently, they boast of eight data centers in Japan, the US, and UK with an announcement that they will be expanding, through a SoftBank Telecom Corp joint venture, to the Asia-Pacific regions. VMware also publicized their strategic corporation with China Telecom in order to build a top notch hybrid cloud service in Beljing.

vCloud Air is anticipated to avail a wide range of pre-validated solutions offered by the different independent software (ISVs) vendors. These mobility specialists offer their clienteles with a selection of proven capabilities in order to meet a range of customer needs while keeping up with the rapidly dynamic mobile landscape.

The information director of the San Francisco Ballet, Murray Bognovitz, added that the disaster recovery service by VMware vCloud Air provides them with a dependable recovery services and a seamless connection which has helped them increase their resiliency even with minimum investments.

September 19, 2014