Business News Holding

Tag: hardware-and-technology

  • IBM Delivers First Integrated Solid State Drive Support

    IBM announced that its storage virtualization offering, the IBM System Storage SAN Volume Controller (SVC), “is now faster, more scalable, and delivers the industry’s first integrated Solid State Drive support.”

    SVC is a storage virtualization system that complements server virtualization technologies and enables a single point of control for storage resources (both IBM and non-IBM arrays) to support “improved business application availability, better IT infrastructure flexibility, and greater resource utilization.”

    Building on IBM’s Quicksilver technology, IBM is introducing SVC 5.0, which now supports Solid State Drives (SSDs).

    The tight integration of SSDs with SVC enables to take advantage of the high throughput capabilities of solid state by delivering up to 800,000 operations per second, and with response times of approximately one millisecond, nearly one-tenth of traditional disk storage.

    SVC support of SSDs is highly flexible with a minimum configuration of only one SSD, helping make the technology more affordable yet scalable without disruption to enterprise requirements, as the company claims.

    According to IBM, additional enhancements to SVC include 8Gbps Fibre Channel support, enabling higher throughout across Storage Area Networks, a tripling of the maximum cache to 24GB per engine, and support for consolidated DR configurations, enhancing SVCs business continuity capabilities.

    SVC also supports attachment to servers using iSCSI protocols over IP networks, which can help reduce costs and simplify server configuration.

    SAN Volume Controller 5.0 will be available November 6, with a US starting list price of $40,000.

  • Thumbs Up For SA's "Call Me Back" Technology

    South African mobile cellular phone companies have been praised for implementing a free “Call Me Back” short messages (SMS) information technology.

    Speaking at the inauguration of Mobile Web Africa conference in Sandton, Johannesburg on Wednesday, executive chairman for Krazyboyz Digital, Zibusiso Mkhwananzi, said the innovative information technology was simple and a popular way of communication for those who may not have airtime to send billed SMSes or make a call.

    “Voice and data messages are very expensive in this country (South Africa) thereby discouraging telephone calls by most local communities.

    “I would suggest that our local communities (in townships) utilize such technologies by packaging the mobile cellphones (Call Me Back) with contents that are sustained by advertising,” said Mkhwananzi.

    The two-day Mobile Web Africa conference was mainly focusing on harnessing the potential of the internet and applications on mobile devices aimed at improving people’s standards of life through affordable and readily accessible technology.

    Mkhwananzi was one of the panelists during the discussing on “Creating Africa’s New Generation of Mobile Designers, Entrepreneur and Success”.

    However, programme manager for Web Foundation/W3C, Stephane Boyera, said SMSes were not made for people who could neither read nor write.

    “It has to be appreciated that SMSes are not for people who can’t read or write. Voice message is the answer to those that can’t read or write.

    “They simply talk. They have voices,” said Boyera.

    The conference drew information communication technology (ICT) experts from as far as Kenya, Nigeria, Uganda and Algeria.

    Other issues discussed during the conference included topics on how to enhance the development of the technology ecosystem, reaching out to communities that may not be easy to touch base with, seizing the opportunity of the potential of mobile services and content, contributing towards bridging the digital divide by informing, involving and empowering.

    The Mobile Web Africa conference is the first of its kind in Africa and it is expected to be conducted annually on a rotational basis around the continent.

  • Buffalo First to Ship USB 3.0 HDD

    After announcing the first to market SuperSpeed USB 3.0 External Hard Disk Drive one week ago, Buffalo now gives the details on availability and prices.

    The DriveStation HD-HXU3, offers SuperSpeed transfer speeds of up to 125MB/s, which is 3-4 times faster than the company’s currently available USB 2.0 drive, and comes in a ranges of sizes, including 500 GB, 1TB and 1.5 TB. 2TB model is planned for later release.

    The HD-HXU3 will be also the first actually usable USB 3.0 HDD to the market, as it will come together with 2-port PCI Expressx1 host controller, which fully supports USB 3.0 connectivity.

    The new Buffalo’s DriveStation is backwards-compatible and will work with all USB 2.0 enabled computers and notebooks, as well as forthcoming USB 3.0 models.

    The drive will hit Japanese shelves in late October for about $225 for 1TB and $284 for 1,5 TB drive. 2TB disk, coming later this year, will cost about $523.

    The first, but still unusable USB 3.0 cables have gone on sale over at USBfever in April. Two weeks ago Freecom announced it would ship USB 3.0 hard drives, the XS 3.0, in mid-November.

  • AT&T Enables VoIP over Its 3G Network for iPhone

    After “evaluating customers’ expectations and use of the iPhone compared to dozens of others AT&T offers,” the operator has finally taken the steps necessary so that Apple can enable VoIP applications on iPhone to run on AT&T’s wireless network.

    Previously, VoIP applications on iPhone were enabled only for Wi-Fi connectivity. At the same time, AT&T has offered a variety of other wireless devices that enable VoIP applications on 3G, 2G and Wi-Fi networks.

    In late summer, AT&T said it was taking a fresh look at VoIP capabilities on iPhone for use on AT&T’s 3G network, consistent with its regular review of device features and capabilities to “ensure attractive options for consumers.”

    In August Federal Communications Commission started the investigation asking both Apple and AT&T to clarify the reasons of the removal of Google Voice application from the App Store.

    Although we didn’t even know if the Google’s app would allow VoIP over AT&T 3G network, the company felt obligated to explain: “AT&T had no role in any decision by Apple to not accept the Google Voice application,” said Jim Cicconi, AT&T senior executive vice president, external and legislative affaire.

    And the situation has changed. Dramatically changed. “iPhone is an innovative device that dramatically changed the game in wireless when it was introduced just two years ago,” said Ralph de la Vega, president and CEO, AT&T Mobility & Consumer Markets.

    iPhone users in the U.S. will now be able to use VoIP apps when they’re connected to AT&T’s 3G network.

  • Google and Verizon Break the Ice to Jointly Deliver Android Devices

    Eric Schmidt, Chairman and CEO of Google, and Lowell McAdam, CEO of Verizon Wireless, held a joint conference call in New York to announce their companies’ new partnership.

    They said Verizon will deliver “devices of the future” with leading-edge mobile applications and services using Google’s Android open platform in coming weeks.

    During the conference McAdam confirmed Verizon plans to support Google Voice.

    This groundbreaking partnership is supposed to leverage the Verizon network and the best of the Android open platform to deliver mobile applications, services and devices.

    The CEOs didn’t unveil many details, all we know is that the companies plan to co-develop several Android-based devices that will be pre-loaded with applications from both parties as well as third-party developers. According to press release, the family of Android phones on the Verizon network will come from “leading handset manufacturers.”


    Eric Schmidt (left) and Lowell McAdam
     

    Both companies view this agreement as an opportunity to offer consumers the products that combine the speed of Verizon’s 3G network with the flexibility of the Android mobile platform.

    They committed to devote substantial resources to “accelerate delivery of leading-edge innovation that will put unique applications in the hands of consumers quickly”.

    Google and Verizon will create market and distribute products and services, with Verizon also contributing the breadth of its nationwide distribution channels. The products resulting from the collaboration will be available in Verizon Wireless retail and online stores.

    "The Android platform allows Verizon Wireless customers to experience faster and easier access to the web from any location," said Eric Schmidt, chairman and chief executive officer for Google. "Through this partnership, we hope to deliver greater innovation in the mobile space to consumers across the U.S."

    The agreement will come to fruition within the next few weeks as Verizon Wireless introduces Android-based handsets.

  • Vonage Goes Mobile: Wi-Fi and Cellular Networks Low Rates Calls Available

    Vonage has launched Vonage Mobile, its first mobile calling application for smartphones. This free downloadable application provides seamless, low-cost international calling while on Wi-Fi or cellular networks.

    It’s available for download on the iPhone, BlackBerry and iPod touch.

    The app works with the existing mobile plans, what lets you keep your number, mobile device, existing contacts and mobile service provider.

    Vonage Mobile does not require any access numbers. You simply enter an international number or select a contact from the existing contacts on your iPhone or Blackberry, hit send and the app does the rest.

    When you dial an international number from your mobile device, your call is routed through the Vonage network. That way, you get their international rates and only use local minutes under your regular carrier’s plan.

    Obviously the app doesn’t support SIP calls over EDGE/HSDPA. International calls you make while being out of WiFi range but still having voice service, will be redirected to a local access number in the US – you’ll be then using your existing provider’s minutes while being charged Vonage Mobile’s discounted worldwide calling rates.

    "Our new mobile app is an important step in establishing Vonage as a software technology company that enables high-quality voice and messaging across any device in any location, providing great value over any broadband network," said Marc Lefar, CEO of Vonage.

    The company assures in the fourth quarter 2009, they will enhance the app to include the Vonage World plan that was introduced for home service in August. This enhancement extends the ability to make unlimited calls to over 60 countries for one flat monthly fee (at this moment – $25).

    According to Mike Tempora, Senior Vice President of Product Management for Vonage, when developing Vonage Mobile, the company focused on creating a more convenient alternative for customers who use calling cards or Wi-Fi only applications.

  • Toshiba Unveils Cell-Powered REGZA 55-inch LCD TV

    As Japan approaches the end of analogue broadcasting in 2011, the digital TV market has entered a period of diversifying customer needs.

    “In order to meet demand for more vivid reproduction of high contrast, high definition images, simultaneous viewing and recording of multiple programs, along with access to broadband content,” as they say, Toshiba just unveiled newly developed CELL REGZA TV and the CELL Platform.

    CELL REGZA 55X1 is the new flagship of the company’s REGZA line-up and will be available in the Japanese market from the beginning of December.

    The heart of CELL REGZA is Toshiba’s CELL Platform – a combination of the high speed parallel processing of the Cell Broadband Engine, specially developed for demanding multimedia applications, and Toshiba’s image-processing algorithms.

    According to the company, the CELL Platform achieves an arithmetic processing capability approximately 143 times that of the current top-of-the-line REGZA TV, allowing it to support unrivaled image-enhancing capabilities.

    It offers a dynamic contrast ratio of 5,000,000:1, and supports this with ultra-high-speed processing and recording, enhanced navigation and seamless network interactivity.

    In the new Toshiba’s TV, the eight-window multi-display is divided into 512 distinct areas, each with individually controlled lighting. Luminance is pushed to an 1250cd/m2, 2.5 times the level of typical TVs.

    The CELL REGZA consists of a slim monitor and a tuner that also integrates the 3-terabyte hard disk drive. Two terabytes of capacity are dedicated to the "time-shift machine," which can simultaneously record up to approximately 26 hours of programming for up to eight channels of digital terrestrial broadcasts.

    It combines the 120Hz scan rate of ClearScan 240 with its new Backlight Scanning technology, and now achieves 240Hz scanning. The new double backlight scanning function divides the display into 16, against eight for current REGZA models.

    Toshiba states that optimum picture quality is achieved by automatic fine tuning of multiple control settings: 1024 steps in color temperature, a 128 scale dynamic gamma range, 100 brightness settings, 32 settings each for color saturation, color sharpness, and adjustment of super resolution, plus control of the LED backlighting.

    CELL REGZA comes with the Opera-based browser with full HD support (e.g. enables displaying Youtube HD content), co-developed with Opera Software, and also supports broadband service, DNLA streaming and display of JPEG digital photographs.

  • Channel Data Releases New REO Business Continuity Appliance

    Channel Data has released the REO Business Continuity Appliance (BCA) from its principal, Overland Storage. An ‘all-in-one’ business continuity solution, the REO BCA is designed for both continuous local backup and remote disaster recovery applications.

    It is positioned as a flexible data replication solution, enabling automated recovery of mission-critical data and applications at both the local data centre and remote disaster recovery levels.

    Kevin Falconer, general manager of Channel Data, says in the past organisations relied on traditional backups/snapshots as the basis for their data protection. "This approach alone is inadequate and susceptible to data loss that can occur between backups. The BCA is designed to ensure that mission-critical data and applications are always protected.”

    "Whether you are concerned about email, key business applications such as ERP, databases, or unstructured files, BCA provides both local and remote high-performance continuous data protection based on capacity-optimised replication technology coupled with comprehensive application awareness," says Falconer.

    The BCA enables ‘point in time’ restoration as well as event-based restorations to be undertaken. For example, it allows users to tag ‘event’ bookmarks and use them for fast recovery and failover point selection.

    “Unlike solutions which simply time-stamp each block to enable restoration to a given point of time, BCA understands the application state, allowing for application consistent restorations,” says the manager of Channel Data.

    "This critical difference allows organisations to restore back to a given event or a given point in time – and be assured that the application will restore correctly," he adds.

  • Sony Develops 240fps Single Lens 3D Camera

    Sony announced the development of a single lens 3D camera technology capable of recording “natural and smooth” 3D images of even fast-moving subject matter such as sports, at 240fps.

    The new technology combines an optical system for single lens 3D camera which captures the left and right images simultaneously, together with existing high frame rate (HFR) recording technology to realize 240fps 3D filming.

    In existing half mirror 3D camera systems with separate lenses for the left and right eyes, the parallax range is adjustable, enabling the depth of the 3D images to be modified.

    However, when operating the zoom and focus functions of such systems, the sensitivity of the human eye, in particular to differences in the size and rotational movement of dual images, as well as any vertical misalignment or difference in image quality has meant that complex technology has been required to ensure that each camera lens is closely coordinated, and there are no discrepancies in the optical axis, image size, and focus.

    According to Sony, the introduction of a single lens system resolves any issues that may occur as a result of having different optical characteristics for each eye. Furthermore, they say, by using mirrors in place of shutters, incoming light can now be simultaneously separated into left and right images and recorded as it reaches the parallel light area (the area where diverging light from the point of focus on the subject matter becomes parallel) of the relay lens.

    The separated left and right images are then processed and recorded with the respective left and right image sensors. As there is no difference in time between when the left and right eye images are captured, it is possible for natural and smooth 3D images to be captured, even of scenes involving rapid movement.

    Sony has made some optical tests that have shown that a frame rate 240fps represents the limit of human visual perception, and beyond that it becomes difficult to detect differences in terms of blur and “jerkiness” of moving images (where images that were continuous are now seen as a series of distinct snapshots).

    The company assures that with the new technology even when polarized glasses are not used, viewers will still be able to see natural 2D images, as the disparity of the images for left and right eyes are within the range that human eyes can recognize as a blur.

    A prototype model incorporating this technology will be demonstrated at “CEATEC JAPAN 2009”, to be held in Chiba city, Japan, from October 6th.

  • AT&T and TerreStar to Offer Integrated Cellular/Satellite Solution

    AT&T has announced plans to work with TerreStar to offer an integrated smartphone mobility solution that will combine primary cellular wireless connectivity with the ability to connect to a satellite network as a backup, using one phone number and one smartphone device.

    This new solution will provide users with an access to both cellular and satellite networks through a handset that is – as the companies claim – both smaller and more feature-rich than previous satellite devices.

    The TerreStar Genus smartphone combines GSM/GPRS/EDGE/UMTS/HSDPA terrestrial wireless capability with satellite voice and data capability. The device runs on the Windows Mobile and includes 2.6” touchscreen, WiFi, Bluetooth® and GPS.

    The device gives users the option to access theTerreStar satellite network when AT&T’s cellular wireless network is unavailable.

    AT&T wireless users with a line of sight to the satellite will be able to access voice and data coverage in the United States, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands and in territorial waters.

    When cellular networks are unavailable, TerreStar’s satellite will act as a cell site in the sky to provide coverage to help users stay connected. The solution announced today is well-suited for government, energy, utility, transportation and maritime users. AT&T states that it can provide a critical communications back-up capability, important to public safety agencies, first responders, emergency services and disaster recovery groups.

    The integrated cellular/satellite solution will combine the satellite network-related charges on the customer’s regular wireless bill. AT&T’s monthly invoice will include the customer’s cellular voice and data service charges, the satellite network access subscription feature charge and the satellite voice and data roaming charges.

    It is expected to be available for enterprise, government and small business customers and their corporate liable users in the first quarter of 2010. AT&T informs that the company is working on a similar solution for consumers.