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  • Skype Seeks To Establish Common Audio Codec by Offering High-Quality Silk for Free







    Skype is to license for free a high-quality audio codec in its latest VoIP software to any developer or vendor.

    Called Silk, the "super-wideband" codec delivers a sound quality that captures the full sound of the human voice.

    Jonathan Christensen, Skype’s general manager of audio and video, launched the licensing program earlier this week at the eComm conference in California.

    He said that the normal phone system uses a narrow band for voice, from 400Hz to 3,400Hz, that cuts off high and low frequencies.

    Silk allows Skype to reproduce the full range of typical voice frequencies audible to the human ear, from 50Hz to 12,000Hz.

    So, while traditional systems carry voice in a standard 64Kb per second (Kbps) channel – which has disadvantages, such as blurring the difference between similar sounds such as "f" and "s" – VoIP can be carried in a fatter pipe.

    This has allowed new codecs to be written to encode and decode voice at higher quality.

    Benefits of this include helping callers identify different speakers on conference calls and making calls sound generally warmer, according to Christensen.

    Additionally, the new codec requires half the network bandwidth of Skype’s previous version.

    Christensen said the codec will be made freely available to third-party developers. They will be able to use it in any device or application, with or without Skype.

    "We think this is a way the whole industry can come up to a new standard of voice quality," he said.

    Skype’s motivation for making Silk available for free is to expand the range of hardware and software clients its calling software works with by establishing a common codec for clients to adopt.

    This goes from PC software, headsets and videoconferencing systems to cordless phones and mobiles.

    Silk runs on x86 chipsets for Windows, Macintosh and Linux systems, and the software has been run on Arm and MIPS chip platforms.

    It is currently available as Skype 4.0 for Windows and as a Macintosh beta version 2.8. A final Mac version and one for Linux are due in April.

  • Acer Plans To Drive Down Price of Smartphones







    It was always on the cards from the moment Acer announced its intention to enter the smartphone arena.

    Now the Taiwanese electronics giant has made it clear that it plans to drive down the cost of smartphones – to a level where mobile operators could give them away for free.

    Acer plans to release two low-priced handsets – the F1 and L1 – in October. Both will be touchscreen devices running Windows Mobile 6.5.

    They will obviously be pitched as entry-level smartphones and will be sold as Pay as you Go models for around USD $62 after network subsidies.

    Acer’s Smart Handheld Business Group head, Aymar de Lencquesaing, speaking at CeBit, said there were four billion mobile phone users on the planet, but only 200 million smartphone users.

    He reasoned that driving down the price and enabling operators to give the phones away free – with a contract – was the "surest way to drive adoption".

  • Mobile Operators Must Cut Data Fees and Offer Smartphone Subsidies







    While prospects for the overall mobile handset market remain gloomy, smartphones remain a bright spot with global unit growth as high as 11.1 per cent in 2009, according to iSuppli.

    The analysts’ optimistic forecast for global smartphone unit shipments translates into 192.3 million units in 2009, up from 173.6 million in 2008.

    A more pessimistic outlook calls for growth of only 6 per cent this year, reaching 183.9 million units.

    Tina Teng, senior analyst for wireless communications for iSuppli, stressed that for the optimistic scenario to come to fruition, wireless network operators had to cut fees for data services and offer aggressive subsidies to reduce consumer smart phone prices.

    "Furthermore, wireless operators and handset brands have to sell consumers on the value of smartphones to encourage customers to upgrade," she said.

    However, if consumer confidence continues to erode, iSuppli’s pessimistic forecast is likely to prevail, Teng warned.

    According to the optimistic scenario, smartphones will represent 17.4 per cent of total mobile handset unit shipments in 2009.

    If the pessimistic scenario holds sway, smartphones will account for only 16.6 per cent of total mobile handset shipments this year.

    The optimistic scenario also foresees a unit shipment Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) of 21 percent from 2008 to 2013, while the pessimistic view predicts an 18.3 percent growth rate.

    Teng said that with 3G networks becoming prevalent around the world, smartphones are now for consumer as well as corporate users.

    "Consumers increasingly are demanding data-intensive applications that require the kinds of high data speeds supported by 3G networks," she said.

  • TI Unveils Video Processor Aimed at Removing Format Concerns







    Texas Instruments has launched a new video processor specifically aimed at removing video designers’ concerns about video format support, network bandwidth or system storage capacity limitations.

    Called the TMS320DM365 DaVinci, the processor includes production-qualified H.264, MPEG-4, MPEG-2, MJPEG and VC1 codecs.

    The DM365 also has an integrated image signal processing (ISP) solution for intelligent video processing capabilities and a suite of on-board peripherals.

    TI says this has the potential to save developers up to 25 per cent on their system cost.

    The company is aiming the processor at video designers of media playback and camera-driven applications, such as video doorbells and portable media players.

    According to TI, by using the DM365 it will allow them to expand their product portfolio on one platform with the ability to select the right HD video codec for multiple product designs – 1080p MPEG-4 at 24 fps or 720p H.264 and MPEG-4 at 30 fps.

    An example is video security applications supporting 1080p H.264 at 10 fps to provide high-quality video with greater compression efficiency.

    As a result, TI says developers can attain increased video storage without straining network bandwidth.

    In addition, by having a built-in ISP with capabilities including face detection, developers can focus on differentiating their products with smart video features.

    These include enabling intelligent digital signage to detect its viewers and display relevant advertising or video doorbells to instantly recognize family members and automatically unlock the door.

  • Expansion Planned as Csathy Named President and CEO of Sorenson Media







    Sorenson Media has named Peter Csathy as its president and chief executive officer (CEO).

    Csathy is a 20-year veteran of the digital media industry with significant expertise in the online video arena.

    Sorenson Media specializes in online video compression and encoding technology and solutions.

    Csathy said he was looking forward to driving the company into new high growth areas.

    "Internet video is still in its early innings, and we see an opportunity to become a significant player in this multi-billion dollar and transformative industry," he said.

    Peter Csathy, CEO Sorensen Media

    Csathy worked in C-level roles at three successful high-growth companies, including most recently as CEO of SightSpeed, president and chief operating officer (COO) of Musicmatch, and COO of eNow.

    SightSpeed was acquired by Logitech late in 2008, in the midst of the current economic meltdown; Musicmatch was acquired by Yahoo in 2004; and eNow was acquired by AOL-Time Warner in 2006.

    Prior to these positions, Csathy served as senior VP at Universal Studios, with responsibility for driving and executing all national and global new business opportunities, M&A activity, strategic partnerships and initiatives for that company’s Recreation Group.

    He has also worked as a senior executive at Savoy Pictures Entertainment and New Line Cinema, after launching his career as a media and intellectual property attorney for clients in the motion picture and music industries.

    Csathy obtained his JD from Harvard University and his bachelor’s degree in political science, summa cum laude, from the University of Minnesota.

    He will direct all areas of Soreson Media’s operations and strategic initiatives.

  • Hi-Den Launches First HDMI 1080p Photo Viewer







    It seems peculiar that with the drive towards making HDTVs all-singing, all-dancing Internet-connected marvels, little had been done to improve something as simple as enjoying your photos on the big screen.

    Now Hong-Kong-based Hi-Den Vision has popped up with what it claims is the world’s first HDMI 1080p digital photo viewer.

    The HD-0310 is a compact, slim and easy-to-use device that allows photos, video clips and music to be displayed directly from memory cards onto HDTVs.

    Hi-Den are – sensibly, I suppose – making the comparison between a digital photo frame and their device, both in terms of the price and the screen size.

    "Digital photo frames are one solution to viewing photos," said a spokesman. "But for a quality digital photo frame, it will cost around USD $150-250.00.

    "We are offering consumers the ability to view photos on a large HDTV but at a cheaper price."

    The HD-0310 features 16 transition effects, slide interval time, random or sequential playback for photo viewing.

    Its remote control also allows play/pause, next/previous, rotate, zoom in/out, select between photo/video and music.

    The suggested retail price is USD $59.90.

  • Can Rising HDTV Prices Be Sustained?












    After a period of steadily dropping HDTV prices the cost of sets to consumers appears to be climbing again.

    The average selling price for HDTVs in the US jumped by more than 10 per cent in February, according to data from the Retrevo CE Index.

    TV prices started a downward shift around May last year, ultimately dropping approximately 35 per cent in January 2009.

    Vipin Jain, CEO of Retrevo, said the price cuts had come as the economy and consumer spending weakened.

    He said this prompted manufacturers and retailers to offer steep discounts during the holidays and leading up to the Super Bowl – two important seasons for HDTV sales.

    "This meant great deals for consumers, but hurt the bottom lines of TV makers," he said.

    "The bankruptcy and liquidation of Circuit City may have also played a factor in keeping prices down.

    "Now that deep discounts from the all-important holiday and Super Bowl seasons are over, excess inventory is clearing out of the channel and merchants are returning to running their business at more sustainable price levels."

    Jain questioned whether the upward price trend was sustainable but said deals were still to be had.



  • A-DATA Launches Highest Capacity SSD For Laptops and Netbooks












    The race to drive up flash memory storage capacity has a new champion in the form of A-DATA Technology.

    The Taiwanese company has just announced the highest capacity of SSD in the industry at CeBIT 2009 – the 512GB XPG 2.5" SSD.

    Designed for notebook and PC enthusiasts, the memory module maker says it is aimed at users seeking both a fast transfer rate and high capacity SSD.

    With a fast transfer rate up to 230MB/s and 160MB/s read and write, the 512GB XPG 2.5" SSD certainly delivers.

    It has an adopted standard high speed SATA II interface and comes equipped with a tough but lightweight case.

    Although the world’s second largest vendor of memory modules, it is normally overshadowed by companies such as Samsung, Toshiba, SanDisk and Western Digital in the flash memory capacity stakes.

    512GB XPG 2.5" SSD’s features include:
    1. Read up to 230MB/s Write up to 160 MB/s
    2. Interface: SATA I/II
    3. Operating Temp.: -10°C~70°C
    4. Shock Resistance: 1500G/0.5ms
    5. MTBF: 1,500,000 hrs.
    6. Dashing, durable, lightweight Aluminum casing

    Specification:
    1. Dimension: 100.0*70.1*9.2 mm (LxWxH)
    2. Weight: 85+/



  • Are optical Discs a Viable Option For Enterprise Storage?







    The majority of corporations are faced with issues about storage. While storage is not difficult, it must be easy to archive and be available when needed.

    In the past, tapes and cassettes have often been used to store data. These tapes are often stored in a secure permanent offsite location.

    Tape media on average lasts about 30 years and is more durable than disk but tapes take up a lot of space. Now there is a new option for storing data, writes Samantha Sai for storage-biz.news.

    Pioneer has announced that it has succeeded in developing a 16-layer read-only optical disc with mega storage capacity of about 400 GB or about 25 GB per layer.

    This is a major improvement from the past because multi-layered optical discs have not always been able to relay signals clearly from each layer.

    Pioneer has solved the problem of cross talk from adjacent layers using the disc production technology found in the DVD field.

    Pioneer predicts that the future of storage in much denser forms will continue to evolve as the science of optics is better studied.

    Ultra Density Optical (UDO) discs are third generation optical disc designed for very high-density storage of video data.

    Currently available Ultra Density Optical discs have an estimated shelf life of 50 years.

    They have been introduced into the market and found to be reliable and durable for short-term use. Currently the UDO is used by banks, health care facilities, and financial corporations.

    Pioneer said in a recent statement released from Japan that the growing storage needs of many corporations is expected to drive the demand for higher capacity discs.

    The company also mentions that buying just one high capacity optical disc is equal to buying numerous other commercially available discs. This way, resources can be conserved and put to better use.

    The experts meanwhile are not impressed. David Hill, an analyst at Mesabi Group argues that such technology may be more "suitable for storing video and archiving at the consumer level".

    Likewise, Greg Schulz, an analyst with Storage IO, mentions that for years there has been talk about holographic storage.

    However, he adds: "If you are holding your breath for that, you had better get a scuba tank."

    So far the optical disc storages have not proven their worth in a commercial market and there are many kinks that have to be sorted out.

    However, most experts do agree that Blu-ray at both ends of the market, and in specialized verticals such as video, is improving data storage and preservation.

    Despite the great advances in hardware capabilities, the dinosaurs of data storage – the disk and tape – that were long ago proclaimed dead, continue to be pertinent because they are constantly being improved, cost a lot less and are durable.

    For the future, most experts predict that data storage will be achieved by a hybrid of RAM based or some kind of flash based solid state memory, perhaps even a touch of holographic technology.

  • Hitachi GST Takes Another Shot At Consumer Storage Market

















    Hitachi GST is making a fresh attempt at entering the consumer storage market after its first abortive attempt in 2007, writes Samantha Sai for storage-biz.news.

    Brenden Collins, Hitachi’s vice president of product marketing, dismisses the earlier attempt as one that "didn’t take off that well".

    The latest move follows in the wake of Hitachi GST’s decision to acquire Fabrik Inc, which makes G-Technology external hard drive systems for Macintosh computers and SimpleTech systems for PCs.

    While the financial terms of the acquisition haven’t been revealed, the Fabrik deal has been announced.

    It is interesting to note that hard drive competitors Seagate Technology LLC and Western Digital Corp. and several other storage players including EMC Corp, seem to find the acquisition route an ideal means of entering the consumer storage product market.

    Fabrik has renamed its Mozy product as Fabrik Ultimate Backup and has sold its option with SimpleTech systems.

    The newly named product continues to provide its users with the 2GB free space and has retained the charge at $4.95 per month for unlimited online backups.

    The company has also entered into a partnership with ArcSoft Inc for local backup software, so competing with EMC’s Iomega and Retrospect.

    The drag-drop-store in Apple Mac or external devices feature for G-Technology has also been enabled.

    Hitachi GST plans to run Fabrik as a standalone business and will allow all its partnerships continue even where the Fabrik partners compete with Hitachi’s external disk storage partners.

    Brian Babineau, a senior analyst at Enterprise Strategy Group, told Search Storage that such partnerships and relationships are becoming commonplace in the storage industry.

    "There’s a new class of products emerging," he said. "You’re starting to see a blend of enterprise functionality, simplified and masked, as well as redundancy built in.

    What’s interesting about these deals is to see how the simplified consumer solutions can then move upmarket."

    Wolfgang Schlichting, IDC’s Research Director is concerned that Hitachi should not upset its traditional client base in the process of acquiring Fabrik.

    "Hitachi is one of the last remaining hard drive manufacturers without its own branded external solution.

    "They have to be careful not to upset their traditional client base, but that’s also the case with the other hard drive manufacturers."