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  • Web Conferencing Coming To Smartphones


    PhoneTopp has announced an online conference and collaboration tool for use with smartphones – initially only for the iPhone and the Blackberry Bold.

    Intended to allow desktop conferencing on high end handset, PhoneTopp currently has an alpha product available and will be releasing a public beta in Q1 2009.

    The company plans to charge subscriptions fees, estimated at USD $8 per month.

    Tom Barsi, CEO of PhoneTopp, said that until now, only people sitting at their computer in a pre-arranged meeting could participate in a web conference.

    "Holding back expansion of web conferencing is tying the user to the desk,” he said “The proliferation of smart phones capable of running web conferencing allows PhoneTopp to lead an opportunity that will dramatically change business communication – enabling true ‘adhoc’ mobile collaboration.”

    Gartner estimates the web/audio collaboration market to be USD $5 billion today.

    In 2010, the consultants forecasts web conferencing will be available to 75 per cent of corporate users as standard facility alongside email, presence and calendaring.

    The PhoneTopp system software runs a thin client-computing model, hosted by the company on the Amazon EC2 cloud.

    The architecture off-loads computer intensive tasks to the datacenter, saving on power dissipation and network traffic.

    PhoneTopp said its patent work around adaptive virtualization protocol (PAV) reduces “over the air” latency to an estimated 5 seconds.

    The protocol takes on the difficult task of managing multiple streams to the smartphone while dynamically adapting and optimizing how the content gets pushed based on the available bandwidth.

    From now through the end of 2008, PhoneTopp is encouraging early beta sign-ups with an incentive of three months free service when launched.

    Interested parties should go to www.phonetopp.com and input their email address for follow-up.

    The hope is to also have support for more smartphones by next year, possibly including Google’s Android platform.

    When commercially launched, PhoneTopp will first allow users to host or participate in a web meeting directly from their smartphone, through a simple click-to-collaborate approach that includes the ability to:

    • accept an invitation via text message to join a web conference
    • answer a phone call that launches an application to participate in the meeting, with no phone numbers or passwords to remember
    • navigate and zoom natively with integrated tools, including a PhoneTopp-developed “mobile rewind” capability that allows users to independently go back within the presentation if they missed a slide.

  • Skype Launches Computer-free Videophone


    ASUS has launched the first Skype certified videophone allowing unlimited video calling over the Internet.

    The AiGuru SV1, part of the Eee Phone product family, has a 7" display and a built-in webcam, speaker and microphone.

    WiFi-capable, the videophone lets users make unlimited video calls for free to other Skype users without the need for a computer.

    The AiGuru SV1 is Skype’s first foray with a partner into the videophone category.

    But with more than 25 per cent of Skype-to-Skype calls including video, it would seem like a logical step.

    Designed to be simple to use, the AiGuru SV1 has an icon-based interface and intuitive button layout which should make it easy for anyone to make and receive Skype-to-Skype video and voice calls.

    Users can also join voice conferences, which could make the videophone attractive as an all-in-one voice and video conferencing solution for small businesses.

    The AiGuru SV1 also allows users to make and receive calls to and from fixed and mobile lines at cheap rates.

    Priced at USD $299.95, the ASUS AiGuru SV1 is now available in North America from Skype’s online shop, and will be available from ASUS authorized resellers later this year.

    Consumers in Europe can pre-order the videophone from Skype’s shop, priced at €269.95/£219.95, with shipment beginning next week.

    The videophone will also be available in retail outlets in Asia Pacific later this year.

  • EU Investigating Mobile Operators Blocking VoIP


    An inquiry has been launched by the European Union into whether blocks on VoIP service by Europe’s mobile phone operators are in breach of competition laws.

    The EU’s antitrust authority has written to every mobile phone operators how they deal with internet based voice calls.

    The deadline for responding to the letter was Wednesday.

    Several phone operators have clauses in their contracts which either block VoIP services over their 3G networks, or exclude VoIP traffic from monthly data bundles included with the tariffs.

    Some operators have also tried to block the VoIP over Wi-Fi capabilities in some handsets.

    Last year, VoIP provider, TruePhone threatened to sue Vodafone after the operator was alleged to be blocking calls over its VoIP network.

  • World's First WiMax/GSM Mobile Supports VoIP


    HTC has announced the launch of the MAX 4G, the first dual-mode WiMax/GSM Windows Mobile device.

    Undoubtedly the best specced WinMo device so far, calls between MAX 4Gs will automatically be routed over the WiMAX airwaves using VoIP.

    Initially only being released in Russia by mobile WiMAX operator Scartel, which operates under the brand name Yota, the Max 4G supports GSM calls using a Sim card from any Russian network operator.

    When both callers are Yota subscribers, the call will automatically be routed as a VoIP call over the Yota mobile WiMAX network.

    The Yota phone service includes functions such as call holding, conference calling and video calling using the VGA camera on the front of the device.

    The handset features 8GB internal flash memory, a 3.8-inch 800×480 WVGA touch-screen display , TV out capability, a 3.5-mm headphones jack, integrated GPS, 5 megapixel camera, Windows Mobile 6.1 and HTC’s proprietary Touch Flo 3D user interface.

    The basic Yota Home package will provide access to online games, maps, messaging and file exchange applications while on the move.

    Users will also be able to view online films, video and TV programmes.

    With Yota Video, a full video-on-demand service, users can watch their favourite movies and videos from their personal Yota catalogue on the handset.

    Yota TV broadcasts 14 free channels, while Yota Music offers an online music catalogue of over 50,000 titles.

    Yota Yap-yap allows contacts to be synchronised and edited through the web, and video clips and phones data uploaded to yota.ru. Images taken with the camera can be geo-tagged using coordinates from the integrated GPS.

  • Voxbone Offers Internet's First Global 'Country Code'


    Voxbone has announced iNum, a global telephone number that enables anyone to establish a local presence anywhere in the world.

    An abbreviation of international numbers, iNums use the new ‘country code’ +883 created by the ITU (International Telecommunication Union) to let VoIP users anywhere in the world receive calls using standard phone numbers.

    Initially, the calls will mainly connect users of different VoIP services.

    Eventually, callers will be able to dial iNums directly from traditional phone lines in any location.

    Rodrigue Ullens, CEO and co-founder of Voxbone, said iNum was a new kind of phone number for a new kind of world that was about local presence and global relationships, not about distance or national borders.

    "We believe the new geography is defined by the markets, customers and vendors that businesses need to connect with most," he said.

    "We need ‘local’ communication with these people—whether calls originate on public-switched or VoIP networks, whether they are truly local or ‘virtually’ local."

    Ullens said the ITU approved Voxbone’s testing of iNum in June 2007.

    It began testing +883 numbers in remote networks then began a preview with several service providers, Jajah, Mobivox, Gizmo5, Ribbit, iotum, Rebtel, Voipbuster, Voxeo and Voipuser.

    Among wholesale voice carriers, Arbinet, Belgacom ICS, Level 3 Communications and Stealth’s Voice Peering Fabric are already routing +883 calls today.

    Since recognizing the new country code requires an update to the switch routing tables of all wholesalers, international carriers and retail providers, +883 calls must traverse participating carriers’ networks to connect.

    A list of all such carriers and their rates for iNum connection appears on the www.inum.net site.

    To create a number with “local” PSTN access around the world, Voxbone worked with the ITU to establish the 883 country code, in the same way that 44 is the country code that refers internationally to the United Kingdom and 1 to the United States.

    Voxbone provides iNum numbers for free to carriers and service providers, Ullens said.

    As the number wholesaler, Voxbone will receive calls to these numbers and deliver them to the appropriate service provider. In this way, it connects incoming calls from PSTN callers as well as calls between different VoIP islands.

    Some iNum participating carriers will resell iNum numbers to their customers so they can receive calls; other participants will merely route (terminate) calls to the new numbers.

    Most participating carriers will even deliver calls to iNum numbers free of charge to their users, effectively providing free connectivity between their network and remote networks.

    “Customers and prospects who see an advertised iNum telephone number that costs little or nothing to dial will be just as inclined to call an international business as they would any business physically located nearby or in-country,” said Ullens.

    “We see iNum encouraging more people to call globally, enabling business subscribers to have wider interactions with callers from new markets,” he added. “For carriers, iNum will increase call minutes and generate additional revenue through innovative global services.”

    Ullens described iNum as a natural extension of Voxbone’s role as an online DID (direct-inward-dial) warehouse.

  • Want VoIP Calls On Your Bluetooth Headset?


    Callpod has launched a "plug-and-play" Bluetooth device that connects with a headset or headphones to provide streaming music and voice over a 100 meter (328ft) range.

    Called the Drone, it plugs into the USB port of a computer and audio is routed automatically.

    When a VoIP call comes in, Drone switches over to the call automatically.

    The Drone works with all Bluetooth headsets and headphones, supports all major VoIP platforms and is Mac and PC compatible.

    It will retail for USD $49.99.

    Performance details:

    • 100-meter (Class-1) range
    • VoIP and music streaming to any Bluetooth headset or stereo headphones
    • Automatically pairs with your headset or headphones
    • Seamlessly switch between music and VoIP calls
    • No software installation – Plug and Play
    • Optional software install for advanced functions such as data transfer
    • Upgradeable firmware

  • HDTV Now In Over A Third Of US Households


    HDTV penetration has doubled in the past two years with 34 per cent of US households having at least one high definition television (HDTV) set.

    Representing about 40 million households, this figure is set to double again over the next two years, according to consumer research from the Leichtman Research Group.

    The findings also showed that 22 per cent of all households purchased a new TV set in the past 12 months.

    Of these, 43 per cent of this group spent over USD $1,000 on a new TV.

    The results are based on a survey of 1,302 households throughout the US, and are part of a new LRG study, HDTV 2008: Consumer Awareness, Interest and Ownership.

    Bruce Leichtman, president and principal analyst for Leichtman Research Group, said while more people than ever before have HDTV sets, educating consumers on HD programming remains an issue.

    The survey found that about 18 per cent of individuals with an HDTV continue think that they are watching HD programming, but are not.

    “About 40 million US households now have at least one HDTV set, and LRG forecasts that this number will double over the next four years,” he said.

    Other findings include:

    • Combined, 38% of HD owners say that replacing an old/broken set or wanting to buy a new TV set was the most important reason for getting their HDTV – compared to 22% citing picture quality, and 7% the quality of HD programming or the number of HD channels
    • 44% with annual household incomes over $50,000 have an HDTV compared to 20% with annual household incomes under $50,000
    • 33% of HDTV owners have more than one HDTV set, and 25% are likely to get another HDTV set in the next year
    • 9% of HD owners say that they switched multi-channel video providers when they purchased their HDTV
    • 42% of HDTV owners say that they were told how to receive HD programming when they purchased their set
    • LRG estimates that about 58% of all HD households are now watching HD programming from a multi-channel video provider – up from 53% last year. 

  • Flip Launches HD Version Of Mino Camcorder


    The incredibly popular Flip camcorder is going high def with the launch of the MinoHD.

    Flip makers Pure Digital says its new baby is the the world’s smallest HD camcorder – and at a mere 3oz it’s hard to disagree.

    Intended to make capturing and sharing HD video easy and affordable the MinoHD records up to 60 minutes of HD video and features Flip Video’s new FlipShare software, also announced today.

    This on-board software platform allows consumers to plug the camcorder’s signature flip-out USB arm into any computer for easy drag-and-drop video organizing, editing and sharing on YouTube, MySpace, AOL Video or via email.

    Priced at USD $230, the Mino HD is USD $50 more than the standard-def version. It will initially only be available in the US.

    Pure Digital has sold some 1.5 million of its simple-to-use digital camcorders since last year, helping revenues to grow by 44,667 per cent over the past five years.

    Unsurprisingly, this has made it the number one best-selling camcorder in the US, according to the latest rankings from leading market research firm the NPD Group.

    One difficulty is that sharing video in HD is difficult because sites like YouTube and MySpace still don’t play HD clips.

    That must surely change soon – or there will be great opportunities for Vimeo’s hi-def video sharing service to grab a large market share.

    Flip MinoHD Features:

    • Weight: 3.3 oz.
    • Resolution: HD 720p
    • 4 GB of internal memory to record up to 60 minutes of HD video
    • 1.5 inch anti-glare LCD display
    • Internal, lithium ion battery recharges when USB arm is connected to computer
    • One-touch recording with 2x digital zoom
    • Touch-sensitive buttons for recording, playback, fast forward, rewind, pause and delete
    • FlipShare software:

    -On-board application installs directly when connected to any PC or Mac
    -Drag-and-drop interface for easy browsing, playback, organizing and video archiving
    -Integrated online video publishing to YouTube, MySpace, and AOL Video
    -Free, unlimited private emailing of videos and video greeting cards
    -Custom movie editing, with the option to use your own music and add titles/credits
    -Capture still photos from any standard or high definition video
    -Order DVDs online and have them shipped anywhere in the world
    -TV connection for instant viewing (cable included)
    -Tripod Mount

  • When Will Wii Go HD?


    Nintendo’s lead game designer, Shigeru Miyamoto, has been making comments that suggest Wii could go HD sometime soon.

    The ability to support true next-gen graphics on HDTVs is one area the Wii falls down on compared to competitors Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3.

    Although rumors have appeared on the Internet that the Japanese company might be working on a version of the Wii capable of supporting HD gaming, no official statements have been delivered by Nintendo.

    Now Miyamoto, one of Nintendo’s most influential people, has expressed his opinion on a possible HD Wii console, according to Softpedia.

    The man responsible for hits like Mario and The Legend of Zelda said that technology is constantly changing and that Nintendo should change with it.

    “I’m afraid we cannot confirm what we are doing today,” he said.

    “But the fact of the matter is that technology is evolving all the time and in Japan, for example……all the analogue broadcast will be stopped and shifted into the digital broadcasting. So many things are taking place and we are working in terms of the changes of the technologies all the time.”

    Hardly confirmation but it would seem that an HD Wii has become a "when" not an "if".

  • Boinx Launches Mac-based Live Recording Studio


    Boinx Software has launched a new tool for video podcasters that turns a Mac into a live video recording studio.

    Called BoinxTV, it’s an audiovisual mixing application that allows one person to edit high quality recordings live.

    Aimed at video podcasters or for providing coverage of events, it works with up to three cameras and allows for on-the-fly camera switching, transitions, lower thirds, graphics, logos, crawlers, graphs, title, and so on.

    Created jointly with The Coding Monkeys, the beauty of BoinxTV for video podcasters is that once filming is finished they have a QuickTime movie that requires no post production.

    Oliver Breidenbach, CEO and co-founder of Boinx Software, said the application was going to give more people access to high quality production software that allowed them to create video content.

    He told hdtv-biz-news BoinxTV was a "game changer" because it made it easy to create professional ‘TV style’ recordings – at an affordable price.

    "It’s going to be much more fun and much more appealing to do videos on a regular basis," he said. "But the price is also making this technology available to a much broader audience than before.

    "We are not going to replace the million dollar equipment used in the broadcasting industry but BoinxTV gives people the ability to make professional-looking shows."

    Breidenbach said they had already received very positive feedback from professionals in the US that provided local content to affiliate TV stations.

    He said Boinx’s software meant, for example, a football game could be coverered using three cameras and edited live from the stadium using a MacBook Pro rather than undergoing a lengthy post-match production process.

    Breidenbach said HD content was an important aspect of BoinxTV and there was no limit to the resolution that could be used in projects.

    However, he said there were still streaming and bandwidth issues to be resolved.

    "My feeling is that many people are looking at HD but no-one really knows where it is going," he said.

    "At the moment they are perfectly content with lower resolution, that is 720p, which is still thought of as advanced.

    "HD is very important for us as a future direction but we made a decision that we did not want to delay shipping BoinxTV.

    "In the meantime, we will keep working on whatever we can do to optimise the code."

    Another HD issue was hardware limitations but that required action from Apple.

    "I would expect improvements to the operating system will help in that direction as well," said Breidenbach.

    "In about 6-9 months we will be able to do full HD and ultimately there will be even higher resolution."

    Another future upgrade to BoinxTV will be live streaming, a feature that Breidenbach said was already possible but not in the most convenient form.

    Currently, it is possible to stream content live using an encoding box or using software.

    "In the future we will provide live streaming from the application," he said. "For now we provide a live streaming solution that’s workable but not very convenient."

    BoinxTV can be downloaded at boinx.com/download for USD $499.

    The BoinxTV Sponsored Edition costs USD $199 (single license) and requires a credit for BoinxTV in every video created with BoinxTV.