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Tag: hardware-and-technology

  • Google Android Reaches #2 Spot among Smartphone Platforms

    comScore has released data from the comScore MobiLens service, reporting key trends in the U.S. mobile phone industry during the three month average period ending November 2010. After several months of strong growth, Google Android captured the #2 ranking among smartphone platforms with 26.0 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers.

    The report ranked the leading mobile original equipment manufacturers and smartphone operating system platforms in the U.S. according to their share of current mobile subscribers ages 13 and older, and reviewed the most popular activities and content accessed via the subscriber’s primary mobile phone. The November report found Samsung to be the top handset manufacturer overall with 24.5 percent market share, while RIM led among smartphone platforms with 33.5 percent market share.

    OEM Market Share

    For the three month average period ending in November, 234 million Americans ages 13 and older used mobile devices. Device manufacturer Samsung ranked as the top OEM with 24.5 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers, up 0.9 percentage points from the three month period ending in August. LG ranked second with 20.9 percent share, followed by Motorola (17.0 percent), RIM (8.8 percent) and Nokia (7.2 percent).

    Smartphone Platform Market Share

    According to the report, 61.5 million people in the U.S. owned smartphones during the three months ending in November, up 10 percent from the preceding three-month period, as RIM led with 33.5 percent market share of smartphones. After several months of strong growth, Google Android captured the #2 ranking among smartphone platforms in November with 26.0 percent of U.S. smartphone subscribers. Apple accounted for 25.0 percent of smartphone subscribers (up 0.8 percentage points), followed by Microsoft with 9.0 percent and Palm with 3.9 percent.

    Mobile Content Usage

    comScore finds that in November, 67.1 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers used text messaging on their mobile device, up 0.5 percentage points versus the prior three month period, while browsers were used by 35.3 percent of U.S. mobile subscribers (up 0.8 percentage points). Subscribers who used downloaded applications comprised 33.4 percent of the mobile audience, representing an increase of 1.1 percentage points. Accessing of social networking sites or blogs increased 1.0 percentage points, representing 23.5 percent of mobile subscribers. Playing games attracted 22.6 percent of the mobile audience while listening to music attracted 15.0 percent.

     

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  • AT&T Acquires Wireless Spectrum From Qualcomm

    AT&T and Qualcomm announced that AT&T has agreed to purchase spectrum licenses in the Lower 700 MHz frequency band from Qualcomm for $1.925 billion. According to AT&T, the move "will bolster the company’s ability to provide an advanced 4G mobile broadband experience for its customers in the years ahead."

    Qualcomm currently uses the licenses to support the service business of FLO TV, a wholly owned subsidiary of Qualcomm, and the sale follows Qualcomm’s previously announced plan to evaluate strategic options for the FLO TV business. Qualcomm says they expects that the FLO TV business and network will be shut down in March 2011.

    The spectrum covers more than 300 million people total nationwide: 12 MHz of Lower 700 MHz D and E block spectrum covers more than 70 million people in five of the top 15 U.S. metropolitan areas – New York, Boston, Philadelphia, Los Angeles and San Francisco; 6 MHz of Lower 700 MHz D block spectrum covers more than 230 million people across the rest of the U.S.

    As part of its longer-term 4G network plans, AT&T intends to deploy this spectrum as supplemental downlink, using carrier aggregation technology. This technology is designed to deliver substantial capacity gains and is expected to be enabled with the completion of 3GPP Release 10. AT&T expects to begin deploying this spectrum once compatible handsets and network equipment are developed.

    Qualcomm also said that it intends to integrate carrier aggregation technology into its chipset roadmap, to enable supplemental downlink to address increased consumer demand for rich mobile media content. AT&T also expects to deploy this technology.

    The companies anticipate closing the sale during the second half of calendar year 2011.

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  • Broadcom Announces New Android Platform to Enable Mass Market Smartphones

    Broadcom has announced a new baseband platform that provides simultaneous HSDPA modem connectivity and Android-based applications processing.

    According to the company, the new Broadcom BCM2157 dual-core baseband processor delivers high-end smartphone features on more affordable 3G Android handsets: this includes mobile hot-spot, multi-touch screens, innovative media and applications processing, "and other capabilities that will help handset makers drive these features to a larger tier of users."

    The BCM2157 baseband processor platform includes the following features:

    • 3G HSDPA modem supports 7.2 Megabits per second (Mbps) downstream connectivity and worldwide roaming.
    • Built-in support for HVGA displays, multi-touch screens, 5 megapixel digital cameras, 3G dual SIM/dual standby, and other key smartphone capabilities.
    • Dual-core ARM processors for dedicated modem support and superior application processing (500MHz).
    • Broadcom’s complete connectivity suite, featuring Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS and NFC solutions, including InConcert technology that makes these various technologies work better together.
    • Support for mobile hotspot functionality, allowing the handset to share the 3G connection with up to 8 simultaneous devices or users via Wi-Fi.

    The platform is based on mature technology, building on the proven architecture of the BCM2153 and is now sampling to early access customers with first commercial launches expected in Q1 2011.

    "The smartphone continues to influence the cellular industry, with defining features like multi-touch screens and the ability to run applications now enriching lower cost handsets. We’ve maximized the functionality of our new Android-processing baseband platform to enable our partners to deliver the most popular features in more affordable designs," said Scott Bibaud, Executive Vice President & General Manager, Broadcom’s Mobile Platforms Group

  • VIZIO Unveils 65-inch Theater 3D Razor LED HDTV

    VIZIO announced the introduction of their new Theater 3D technology with the launch of the 65" Theater 3D Edge Lit Razor LED LCD HDTV with VIZIO Internet Apps. The 65" XVT3D650SV is VIZIO’s largest HDTV ever.

    The company claims that their Theater 3D technology provides a superior alternative to conventional 3D by utilizing battery-free, affordable and lightweight 3D glasses causing less eyestrain than the current "Active Shutter" technology. According to VIZIO, "Theater 3D technology produces clear, flicker-free 3D images that are noticeably brighter than conventional 3D and eliminates costly and bulky 3D eyewear that requires batteries or charging."

    The XVT3D650SV supports a wide selection of 3D formats to ensure compatibility across Blu-ray, broadcast, cable, satellite, and gaming. In addition to the standard formats, VIZIO also supports SENSIO Hi-Fi 3D, the high quality, visually lossless 3D format that enables 3D content to be delivered over 2D infrastructure as well as RealD’s patented side-by-side format.

    VIZIO’s Smart Dimming technology in this Edge-Lit Razor LED intelligently controls its array of LEDs, which are organized in 32 zones. Working frame by frame, based on the content being displayed, Smart Dimming adjusts brightness in precise steps down to pure black (where the LED is completely off). This cutting edge technology minimizes light leakage, and enables a Dynamic Contrast Ratio of 1 Million to 1, for blacker blacks and whiter whites on the same screen.

    The XVT3D650SV also features the latest VIZIO Internet Apps (VIA) Connected HDTV platform. Current Apps from top online content and service brands include: Amazon Video On Demand, Facebook, Flickr, Netflix, Rhapsody, Pandora, Twitter, VUDU and Yahoo! TV Widgets. Additional Apps recently released include Fandango, Yahoo Fantasy Football, NBA Game Time, Wiki TV, My-Cast, MediaBox, TuneIn Radio, Web Videos and iMemories.

    "Our Theater 3D technology is a significant step forward in bringing a high-quality, immersive experience home to consumers," stated Matthew McRae, VIZIO CTO.

    "The bright and flicker-free images, extremely low crosstalk, and comfortable glasses allow extended viewing of content without the side-effects associated with the first generation of 3D technology. This is increasingly important as more content is released and 3D gaming goes mainstream," he added.

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  • Fring Launches Dynamic Video Quality Mobile Calling

    fring announced the rollout of its network-optimized DVQ mobile video calling technology. The company’s proprietary DVQ (dynamic video quality) technology adjusts video bit rate and frame rate according to the specific device to match current network bandwidth during a call, delivering the best possible video picture quality for available bandwidth between call peers.

    Where network capacity is constrained, fring’s DVQ technology dynamically adapts the video picture quality, rather than losing the video call while providing the best possible audio quality. In addition, with an integrated DVQ indicator, fring intelligently notifies users of changes in their network strength in real time.

    According to fring, mobile eco-system resources are "core" to the company’s product’s design and its use: DVQ technology adjusts to match bandwidth at every point of every call. This adaptive nature allows for changing call conditions and network availability which translates into more connected calls and fewer dropped calls. Importantly, users enjoy rich video calling according to network congestion and in step with operator’s bandwidth availability – at all traffic hours.

    “In the year since pioneering mobile video calls, we’ve seen that users network conditions change dramatically during and between video calls. That’s the nature of mobile experiences in heterogeneous networks,” said Alex Nerst, Co-Founder & CTO of fring.

    "DVQ lets users make the best use of the peer- to- peer network capacity available at any moment during a video call, regardless of if they’re stepping into an elevator, commuting on a train or simply walking away from their WiFi hub," he added.

    DVQ technology is compatible with all mobile data bearers: 3G, 4G, WIMax and WiFi and is currently available from the iPhone App Store and the Android market.

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  • LG Unveils E90 LED Monitor

    LG has just unveiled its new E90 monitor, the company’s slimmest LED monitor to date at just 7.2 mm in depth. It will be available starting this month in select markets.

    In keeping with its ultra slim design, the LG E90 places the power supply and the socket connecting the monitor with the PC on the back of the stand, an innovation called EZ-cabling.

    According to LG, in addition to the reduced footprint offered by its light weight and slim size, the E90 manages to reduce both energy consumption – as much as 40 percent less than conventional CCFL-backlit LCD monitors – and use of hazardous materials such as halogen and mercury in its manufacturing.

    The E90 is a good choice for watching action movies or sporting matches because, with a response time of just 2 milliseconds, the monitor’s display "remains clear and bright" even during fast-moving action sequences. Additionally, LG’s Image Booster software, blurry streaming content from video sites such as YouTube are significantly enhanced so they look terrific on the E90’s vivid display, as the company claims.

    "The E90 is the result of advanced technology and beautiful design coming together in perfect alignment," said Si-hwan Park, Vice President of LG’s monitor division.

    "With its revolutionary features in terms of design and picture quality, the E90 is the leading example of the company’s "SUPER LED" monitor line that is setting new benchmarks for style and performance," he added.

  • TI's OMAP4440 Processor Boasts New Upgrades

    Texas Instruments announced that the OMAP4440 applications processor enhancements deliver "impressive performance improvements" beyond the OMAP4430 processor, including a 1.25x increase in graphics performance, a 30 percent decrease in webpage load time, a 2x increase in 1080p video playback performance and clock speeds as fast as 1.5 GHz per ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore.

    According to TI, these marked performance advantages, along with other feature enhancements, reaffirm the OMAP 4 platform’s ability to drive today’s most coveted Smartphone and tablet user experiences, such as 1080p stereoscopic 3D (S3D), 1080p video conferencing and gesture recognition.

    "The increased performance given by the OMAP4440 applications processor illustrates TI’s ability to push mobile computing possibilities with the right processor architecture enveloped in the right platform," said Remi El-Ouazzane, vice president, OMAP platform business unit, TI.

    "We seized an opportunity to enhance the platform capabilities driving the OMAP4430 processor’s success today. As OMAP4430 processor-based products hit the market in first half 2011, we’re arming our customers with a huge performance boost via an easy migration to OMAP4440 processor for their next wave of exciting devices. The resulting user experiences will radically impact how consumers continue to integrate mobile technology into their daily lives," he added.

    The OMAP 4 platform is a highly-optimized system-on-chip (SOC) leveraging two ARM Cortex-A9 MPCore general-purpose processors, reaching speeds of 1.5 GHz per core, complemented by two ARM Cortex-M3 cores to power-efficiently offload time-critical and control tasks.

    High-performance multimedia capabilities are provided by programmable cores including a POWERVR 3D graphics engine, TI IVA 3 for high-definition/multi-standard video, TI image signal processor (ISP) for high-quality/high-megapixels imaging, TI low-power audio processor and TI digital signal processor (DSP) based on the TI C64x DSP for natural user interface and signal processing innovations optimized for mobile applications.

    The OMAP 4 platform supports concurrent, high-performance processing and high-definition multimedia with dual, high-bandwidth memory channels. The platform is secured with TI M-Shield security, and delivers high performance within the small power budget of mobile devices by leveraging TI SmartReflex™ power and performance management technologies.

    The company has informed that OMAP4440 applications processor will sample in first quarter 2011, with production expected by the second half of 2011. These products are intended for high-volume wireless OEMs and ODMs and are not available through distributors.

  • KDDI to Deliver Video Conferencing Service

    Vidyo has announced that KDDI, a carrier headquartered in Japan will deliver a video conferencing service based on Vidyo’s multi-point, telepresence-quality solution. VidyoConferencing enables carriers, service providers and unified communications vendors to offer SVC-based video conferencing technology that delivers telepresence-quality over the Internet or general purpose IP networks.

    KDDI’s service will be available in Japan in January 2011.

    According to Vidyo, its architecture is the first in a new generation of software solutions that leverages the H.264 Scalable Video Coding (SVC) video compression standard enabling a video stream to be broken into multiple resolutions, quality levels and bit rates. Utilizing this capability and Vidyo´s intellectual property, VidyoTechnology eliminates the Multipoint Control Unit (MCU), and offers unprecedented error resiliency enabling natural, high quality video to work over the Internet, LTE, 3G and 4G networks.

    Because Vidyo’s solution is software-based, it can easily be expanded, upgraded, and customized for customers’ individual Enterprise and vertical market video conferencing needs.

    "As the first SVC-based solution to eliminate the transcoding MCU, Vidyo reduces the latency in the video stream so our customers will enjoy superb, natural, telepresence-quality solution over KDDI’s Wide Area Virtual Switch Service, even over the Internet or wireless networks."said Yasuhisa Yamada, General Manager of Data Network Product Planning Department at KDDI.

    Ofer Shapiro, co-founder and CEO of Vidyo, said: "Carriers today need enterprise-ready, highly scalable, telepresence-quality solutions that can address both desktop and room system requirements. By leveraging our patented solution, KDDI is able to provide their customers with a communications service that is on the leading edge of video conferencing with bandwidth guaranteed circuits and best-effort network. KDDI’s service is further evidence of the growing worldwide interest and support we’re seeing today from service providers for our SVC-based video communication solutions."

  • Junction Networks Announces 10,000th Account

    Junction Networks has announced that MBLM NYC has become the company’s 10,000th customer of its hosted VoIP services. Following a merger, the New York-based branding firm chose to deploy OnSIP Hosted PBX service to "quickly deploy a complete communications solution and save on upfront investment."

    "When we merged with a larger company and needed to quickly deploy an additional 16 workstations, we decided to move from a PSTN Gateway service with Junction Networks to OnSIP, in order to save on upfront cost and get up and running quickly," said Olaf Kreitz, Partner, MBLM NYC.

    "We love that the service was easy to set up and also offers such a robust feature set. We did a lot of shopping around and found OnSIP to be the best value. The My.OnSIP feature has also become a fast favorite for us, as it allows each individual employee to manage their extension in so many ways," he added.

    OnSIP is available at an industry low average cost per user monthly of under $20 and offers a complete Unified Communications solution: hosted HD calling and conferencing, voicemail-to-email, instant messaging, presence, and more.

    "The addition of our 10,000th customer is a tremendous milestone for OnSIP and Junction Networks. OnSIP is quickly becoming the go-to hosted VoIP service for small businesses because it’s simple to use, a cinch to set up, and extremely cost effective," said Michael Oeth, CEO of Junction Networks. "We will continue to increase our service offerings and keep costs down to provide small businesses the benefits of an enterprise phone system for a fraction of the cost."

  • HDTV Rollout in China Continues to Power Cogo's Digital Media Growth

    Cogo, an embedded solutions and software provider for the technology and industrial sectors in China, continues to benefit from the strong roll-out of HDTV as total HDTV subscribers in China passed 2 million subscribers in the fourth quarter of 2010, up from 2 million in July 2010.

    Cogo, in conjunction with its partner, a semiconductor company, provides customized solutions for HDTV set-top boxes ("STB") for use in both domestic China and various export markets.

    Additionally, Cogo, in conjunction with this same semiconductor partner, has recently launched an upgraded STB solution with additional functionality (including cable modem features) that carries a higher Average Selling Price ("ASP") for Cogo than the current solution.

    Cogo has already started shipping this new solution to its HDTV customers, and shipments are expected to ramp significantly in 2011. It is believed that China’s HDTV ecosystem will continue to evolve over the next five years and will require new platform upgrades to drive increased functionality. It is expected this trend will continually drive higher ASPs for Cogo’s customized solutions.

    Several factors are unfolding that are expecting to accelerate the HDTV ramp in 2011. First, an increasing number of cable operators are expected to roll-out HDTV over the next year. Second, the government will expand the number of HDTV channels from the current 12 to 42 by the end of 2011. Triple-play field trials started in the third quarter of 2010 and trials are active in 12 cities currently; the number of cities and scope of the trials are expected to ramp significantly in 2011. Finally, cable operators in China are utilizing "mass market" upgrade pricing packages for migration to HDTV services.

    "I am very pleased that Cogo continues to participate in the rapidly growing HDTV roll-out in China," commented Jeffrey Kang, CEO of Cogo.

    "We prove time and again and that we can quickly position ourselves to take advantage of the ‘sweet spot’ of rapidly growing new end markets, like 3G Smartphones, tablets, smart meters, autos and HDTV. Our order patterns in these end markets continue to drive upside to our revenue targets and provide strong visibility to maintaining high-growth in 2011," he concluded.