Business News Holding

Tag: hardware-and-technology

  • Samsung Announces Galaxy Grand

    Samsung has presented a brand new phone, the Samsung Galaxy Grand, which hopes to become the next Galaxy Note II.

    With a 5-inch screen it's not just a smartphone, but more like a phablet, a new term that describes the gadget that is between phone and tablet. It looks like Galaxy S III and hopes to be the next big hit for Samsung. It has a 800×480 resolution, which is relatively low, it runs on Android 4.1.2 (JellyBean), which is the latest operating system by Google, and it has a 1.2GHz Dual Core processor to cover your multitasking needs. What's more, it has a camera of 8MP to capture your moments and also supports 1080p HD video recording. It has a built-in storage of 8GB and it allows expansions up to 64GB.

    Samsung added some useful features, making Galaxy Grand really easy to use:

    "Direct Call enables users to automatically dial a call by raising the device up to the ear; while users can also shake the phone to trigger status updates, or pan it to zoom into a screen. Smart Alert shows missed events such as missed calls and new messages just by picking up the phone. Popup Video, for example, lets users watch video in a pop-up window anywhere on the screen while running other tasks; S Voice lets you control the phone using your voice; and AllShare Play lets you share content across Samsung devices using a single account. "

    Moreover, it is available in Dual SIM version, or in a single SIM version, with the first one providing full communication flexibility and the choice of different billing plans for each SIM.

    For the time being we don't know when will Galaxy Grand be available on market, or how much will it cost, but it is expected to be a relatively low cost phablet, which will make it even more popular. 

  • Cloud Storage Vendors Aggressively Slash Prices Again

    Since November, the three leading cloud storage vendors have slashed prices for data storage per month, offering massive discounts for the first terabyte. Amazon Web Services reduced prices by up to 28% to 9.5 cents, extending reductions to its nine regional centers. Google Cloud Storage dropped data rates by 30% to 8.5 cents. Microsoft Windows Azure slashed its prices by 12% to 8.5 cents.

    Vendors are cutting prices to attract as many early cloud adopters as possible, with the knowledge that switching service provider later might prove to be difficult for customers.

    "It's definitely a race, but it's a land grab," said Terri McClure, senior analyst at the Enterprise Strategy Group (ESG). "The race is to the bottom to get more data into the cloud. They are trying to accelerate adoption because the service is very sticky. Once data is in the cloud, it's hard to switch providers."

    Steve Zivanic, vice president of marketing at Nirvanix, a San Diego based cloud storage provider, said the three dormant cloud providers keep competing on price because their services are similar.

    "If you have no technology differentiation between clouds, then it's the same as disk-drive vendors waging a war for the lowest price per raw drive," said Steve Zivanic, "The key is to wrap advanced storage services around the physical drive and sell business value of that overall service. The price cuts between Amazon, Google and Azure are basically battles for cheap, raw online disk."

    An analyst for IT infrastructure and cloud at 451 Research Cloud, Carl Brooks said that while storage prices have come down, the costs of bandwidth, replication, security, compliance and maintenance, make the price of cloud storage high compared to on-premises storage.

    "Cloud providers are well over the cost of actually provisioning on-premises storage," said Carl Brooks. "Hard drives are almost a commodity at this point. We have not seen that in the cloud market. The trend behind the price cuts are more about cloud providers trying to get ahead of the trend. They don't want to be undercut by other vendors."

    "Amazon, Azure and Google cut prices to continue to be relevant," Brooks said further. "You are going to see price competition for a couple of years, and you will see cloud service providers go out of business.

  • Smartphones of the Future Will Be Able To See, Hear, Smell, Touch, and Taste Things

    What will the future look like? Though the answers may not be definite, IBM's annual Five in Five list does its best to answer this pressing question. The list, which enumerates five predictions about technological breakthroughs that may happen in the next five years, gives people an overview of how technology will develop in the future.

    What will the future look like? Though the answers may not be definite, IBM's annual Five in Five list does its best to answer this pressing question. The list, which enumerates five predictions about technological breakthroughs that may happen in the next five years, gives people an overview of how technology will develop in the future.

    Most of the visions that were included in the list seem impossible to achieve. But what most people don't know is that some predictions have already came true. For example in 2006, Five in Five have stated that real-time speech translation will become the norm in the near future. Fast forward a year later, IBM have started work on n.Fluent, a breakthrough technology that translates English and 11 other languages in real-time.

    This year, it's all about the senses. IBM believes that the gadgets of the future will have the ability to feel, see, hear, taste, and smell. This innovation will surely leave a huge impact on how we use devices like smartphones and tablets.

    Touch

    Through the use of infrared, vibration, and other haptic technologies, a smartphone's display will be able to render the texture and feel of physical surfaces. Imagine being able to feel the softness of a cotton sheet through a smartphone's display instead of just reading about it.

    See

    IBM thinks that today's visual recognition technologies can be taken one step further. For example, future systems would have the capability to detect minute details and anomalies in a patient's MRI scan which could help doctors do their work more efficiently.

    Hear

    Aside from merely recording audio, sensors will have the ability to analyze patterns and frequencies from the sounds that it picks up. Future audio technologies will be able to judge the structural integrity of a bridge through the use of sound data alone.

    Taste

    It may not sound that appetizing, but digital tastebuds might become a technological norm in the near future. This could help people keep up with their diets and/or everyday nutritional needs.

    Smell

    Computers might soon be able to distinguish odors from various substances. A person's breath can be analyzed for data that might reveal something about that person's health

  • Nokia Lumia 620 – Attractive Entry Level Smartphone with Windows Phone 8

    Taking the analysts by surprise, Nokia has launched a new model of its Lumia range – Lumia 620 – Nokia’s third phone that runs Microsoft’s latest version of Windows Phone, .

    Priced at $249, excluding taxes and subsidies from operators, the smartphone is a more attractive model in terms of price in the Lumia series. The new smartphone, launched during the salon Le Web 2012 in Paris, will enter the Asian market in January and will shortly be launched in Europe and the Middle East.

    Lumia 620 aims at younger customers, according to Nokia, and will be available in seven different housing colors.

    The 3.8-inch screen with 800 x 480 WVGA resolutions is more compact than the other two Lumia handsets, 920 and 820, which were harshly criticized for being too heavy and too thick.

    The screen comes with ClearBlack technology and Nokia boasts that it will be as visible in daylight as Lumia 920 and Lumia 820. The chipset is more than decent and allows HD video camera. Dual band wireless card is a plus, and the 1300 mAh battery should provide a decent range, but it will not be able to be charged wirelessly. However, the smartphone supports NFC connectivity.

    Like most advanced models, Nokia Lumia 620 comes with Nokia Maps, Nokia Drive and Nokia City Lens. Operating system offers mobile browser Internet Explorer 10, support Windows Live, Microsoft Office Mobile applications and 7 GB SkyDrive storage.

    Lumia 620 has a 1 GHz Snapdragon S4 Plus processor, with 500 MB RAM, 8 GB internal storage (expandable up to 64 GB) and a battery of 1.300mAh, according to Engadget.

    Separately, Nokia has announced on Wednesday the launch of a new smartphone, Lumia 920T, in partnership with China Mobile, the largest mobile operator in China.

    Overall, we could say that Nokia Lumia 620 is a step in the right direction. The smartphone looks good, has good facilities and has an attractive price.

  • Revealed: 4K Ultra HD Video Player as "Only Sony can do"

    Home viewers are eagerly placing advance orders for a Sony 4K HD Video Player, included with each purchase of its 84-inch XBR-84X900 LED TV for a total "One Sony" experience that incorporates all of its electronics and entertainment capabilities into one black box.

    Phil Molyneux, Sony Electronics COO, told us this is something "only Sony can do." Obtainable exclusively with this particular HDTV on a no-cost lease, this is the first-ever 4K player for the residential consumer. Finally, we have the long-awaited details of what the new video player entails. Incorporated within the workings of the 84-inch screen, the 4K player is a hard-disc server in its own right. We'll be among the earliest proud recipients of a specimen model when the product is launched.

    The 4K comes pre-loaded with a small collection full-length feature films, including Total Recall (2012), Taxi Driver, The Amazing Spider-Man (refer to press release for a complete list of titles), along with brief sports clips from Red Bull and concert footage. The package comes with a remote controller in the form of an Experia Tablet S app along the same lines as its Movies Unlimited service. Ah, that would explain at least some of the eye-watering MRSP of $24,999.99. This is the first opportunity the home viewer will have the opportunity to experience this quality of 4K video under their own roof. By "home viewer" we are clearly not referring to your average university student living away from home for the first time, but purchasers with the means to acquire high-end gear.

    You've got to ask yourself if the human eye is even capable of discerning the difference in quality between bog-standard HD and 4K, or will all but the most well-heeled viewer look at it and see a late model two-door convertible. Kaz Hirai is counting on it. Having invested in its Colorworks digital production studio in 2009, white glove task force dedicated to updating content, not to mention two mega high-spec CinaAlta 4K camcorders (complete with matching prices), we can expect more of the same from Sony.

  • Unlocked iPhone 5 available in USA

    Apple has finally decided to provide an unlocked version of the iPhone 5 in USA, targeting the clients that want to avoid the commitment of a contract.

    Just before the Christmas period, when shopping craze is more intense than ever, Apple has updated the online store, allowing the clients to purchase a contract-free version of the iPhone 5, which will be shipped in one week of the purchase, in any capacity and color. The starting price is $649 for the 16GB, with the 32GB costing $749 and the 64GB model being priced $849. Even though some customers find the price relatively high and prefer the safety of a contract, there are also contract haters among us that prefer to buy a single handset, without any constraints of the carrier.

    No matter which side you are, Apple made sure that you understand how an unlocked phone works:

    If you don’t want a multiyear service contract, or if you prefer to use a local carrier when traveling abroad, the unlocked iPhone is the best choice. It does not come with a micro-SIM card for iPhone 4 and iPhone 4S, or a nano-SIM card for iPhone 5, so you’ll need to get one from any supported GSM carrier worldwide. To start using it, simply insert the card into the slot on your iPhone and turn it on by pressing and holding the On/Off button for a few seconds. Then follow the onscreen instructions to set up your iPhone.

    Thus, Apple clarifies that the unlocked version of the iPhone 5 is great if you are a frequent traveler and want to combine different networks on your handset. However, there is a price to pay for this, as it was on the previous iPhones. If you are thinking of buying the unlocked version then, you still have time before the holidays with the shipment in a week!

  • OCZ Launches SATA III-based Vector SSD Series

    OCZ, SSD supplier, was recently saddled with a fallible CEO and is now under new direction. OCZ has launched its new consumer SSD through the use of its in-house controller technology, called the Vector.

    OCZ's tumultuous story from a promising start-up to a failing business can be found through this link (insert link). The new power of OCZ, Ceo Ralph Schmitt announced that the product was almost exclusively developed under the previous CEO by using the technology that was purchased with Indilinx in March 2011.

    Schmitt states that the product consists of a 7mm thick 2.5-inch format SSD that is shipped out with a 3.5 inch adapter. It comes in 128Gb and 512 GB capacities. It features a 6Gbit/s SATA interface. The performance numbers are pretty impressive: 100,000 random read IOPS, 550MB/sec and a sequential read bandwidth at 530MB/sec for sequential wiring. These numbers only apply to the compressed or uncompressed data. The device has a five year warranty that guarantees that it will perform 20GB of host writes per day.

    This device uses the Indilinx Barefoot 3 controller with MLC NAND, reported the CEO Ralph Schmitt. He also informed the press that these are some of the first SSD products that are delivered by the new OCZ and they offer leverage with a cutting-edge controller technology that has the ability to deliver groundbreaking levels of both sustained reliability and performance for customers who require a superior SSD for their high-performance computer applications and programs.

    Onyx 3 is a 120GB-240GB MLC SSD using an earlier Barefoot 2 controller from Indilinx and is positioned as a low cost, value product. It is well outclassed by Vector doing a maximum of 23,000 random read IOPS, 235MB/sec sequential reads and 230MB/sec sequential writes.

    OCZ will not be required to pay any license per their component fees to have the ability to use this technology as they would if they were using LSI Sandforce controllers.

    Their existing 2.5 inch consumer SSDs include the Onyx, Vertex, and the Agility product lines. The Vertex 4 uses MLC NAND and has a capacity range from 64GB up to 512GB. It has the same 6Gbit/s SATA interface. The Vertex performs up to 95,000 random read IOPS with incompressible data. It has 560MB/sec sequential reads and 520MB/sec sequential writes. The product uses the Indilinx controller and also has a 5 year warranty. Vector will be replacing Vertex 4 with a smaller amount of performance improvement.

    The Agility 4 is also another MLC, 6Gbit/s SATA and there is a SAS version as well. The Agility 4 performs 48,000 random read IOPS and 85,000 random write s at 400MB/sec on both sequential reads and writes. Vector clearly outperforms it.

    Onyx 3 is a 120GB to 240GB MLC SSD that uses an older Barefoot 2 controller from Indilinx and is a low cost valued product. It is very well outclassed by Vector, only performing a maximum of 23,000 random read IOPS at 235MB/sec on sequential reads and 230MB/sec on sequential writes.

    OCZ will probably introduce Barefoot 3 controllers into other products in its range, using SAS and they are looking forward to improving their gross margin on products using Barefoot 3. If it performs as they expect and is reliable enough, then OCZ can look to gain a better product reputation, one of their weakest areas of business.

  • Amazon Appstore Continues Global Expansion, Now Available in Japan

    Amazon continues its strong effort to corner the digital content market with the announcement that they have launched a Japanese version of the Amazon App Store, bringing forth a wealth of content for their line of tablets as well as smart phones and other mobile devices.

    In addition to a diverse library that shares some of the best selling applications and games with an entirely new market, the Amazon App Store also includes some mainstays that have helped the previous incarnations in other countries remain successful, including "Angry Birds," "Where's My Water?" and "Cut the Rope". Japanese customers now have access to the platform's personalized recommendations feature, simple ordering process and detailed order history menus.

    Amazon is also one of the only large digital application stores to feature a free application every day of the week, allowing users free access to content they would otherwise have to pay for simply as a "thank you" for their continued business.

    Amazon's standing as the world's largest retailer have made it a prime target for application developers big and small. Due to the raging success of the Kindle Fire, more and more applications that were once exclusive to other platforms have begun making efforts to get themselves in the fold. The advent of the Japanese App Store also opens the door for Amazon to open a similar feature in other markets, specifically Asian demographics that already have Amazon.com's basic services.

    Company CEO's and software developers alike have taken time to heap the praise on Amazon for the way they run their business and the ease with which people are able to begin marketing their content. Their current business structure is designed to give developers the maximum profits and is a huge reason for their continued success.

    Amazon markets itself as "the most complete end-to-end platform for developers looking to build, market and monetize their apps and games" and it's hard to argue this point based on the recent rapid growth the company has experienced. The addition of the Japanese market can only mean good things as the retail giant expands its customer base.

  • Infonetics: Cisco is the Ruler Among PBX Vendors

    According to a recent market study made by Infonetics Research, the third quarter of 2012 saw a few positive changes in the leading business PBX telephony systems. Cisco was found to be the leading PBX business phone system vendor, followed closely behind by Avaya.

    Cisco has managed to keep this top position for the last five consecutive quarters. Both Cisco and Avaya hold firm control of about 50% of the PBX business telephony market. Following in the footsteps of these two corporate giants, NEC has climb to third position with double digit growth over the quarter, and regretably, Siemens has slipped back into fourth place.

    According to further studies made by Infonetics, the high roller in the Unified Comminications (UC) market is Mcrosoft, with a rise in revenues of approximately 40% over second quarter profits. Other top UC contenders are traditional telephony vendors such as, Cisco, Avaya and Siemens. "The UC market continues to experience general growth, but Microsoft seems to outpace other vendors in the market, " says Dian Myers, a renown analyst in the VoIP and IMS industry for Infonetics.

    Other areas of enterprise telephony seem to be on a downturn with declines continuing for this third quarter.

    At the same time, the enterprise telephony market continues to struggle in some aspects, with year-over-year declines continuing in the third quarter. This slowdown comes as a result of the tough economic times which have slowed business upgrades, and caused many to hold onto existing platforms. "However, market studies show that the market will move back into positive growth over the next year," says Myers.

    The global PBX market, including TDM, hybrid and pure IP PBX systems, has seen an approximate six percent decline in this third quarterdue to continued market softness in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe, bud did see a 2.8 percent increase over prior quarters, according to the Infonetics telephony study.

    Over the third quarter the average revenue seen by each new PBX line fell well below $200, an event that has not previously happened. Revenue continues to drop for now.

  • Samsung not willing to agree with Apple over patents

    The patent war between Apple and Samsung is not over yet and as it seems, it is not expected to end anytime soon. Although Apple has reached an agreement with HTC, Samsung is not willing to do so.

    It was only a few days ago when we were informed that Apple and HTC have agreed to end their patent war, at least for the next 10 years. This agreement created further speculations, whether it was the beginning of a new era, where patent wars would not exist. And although the collaboration between Apple and HTC might have been a step towards that era, the big deal would be a possible agreement on patent cases between Apple and Samsung, the two big rivals on the smartphone market.

    However, Shin Jong-kyun, the head of Samsung's mobile and IT division in South Korea made sure with his words that there won't be any further questions regarding a possible settlement:

    “We have no such intention. … HTC may have agreed to pay 300 billion won (US$276 million) to Apple, but we don’t intend to [negotiate] at all.”

    And just like that, we are informed that the battle cases between Apple and Samsung will keep going in the future. We don't know whether Samsung is extremely confident over their current and future products, but they surely have paid the price quite expensive on the patent war. Just a few months ago the US court have ordered them to pay 1 billion dollars for copying parts of the iPhone and iPad. And even though they have every right to be confident with their current share in the smartphone market, are they certain about the future? Will they manage to survive the following years or should we still expect a possible settlement between the two companies?