Business News Holding

Tag: hardware-and-technology

  • Bristol Interactive Offers TV With PC – Not PC With TV


    Being able to Skype or IM with your favorite app from your HDTV would be pretty useful.

    Well, Bristol Interactive has developed a digital TV with an in-built Atom-powered netbook that would appear to allow users to do just that.

    While there are plenty of PCs on the market with TV tuners – the UK-based television manufacturer is producing 22" and 32" TVs with a gig of memory, a 160GB hard drive, four USB ports, and an Ethernet port.

    The as-yet unnamed devices work as normal TVs, but hit one button and the screen flips across to Windows XP and full netbook mode.

    Screen resolution is 1680 x 1050 pixels – certainly a lot more than you get on a netbook.

    The sets also come with a wireless keyboard with integrated track (mouse).

    Paul Fellows, CEO, of UK-based Bristol Interactive, said the two models are regular TVs but have the convenience of an ultra-compact PC built inside.

    He said they instantly switch between TV mode and PC mode, with no wait for the PC to boot up or log out.

    The TV, which operates independently of Windows, is always instantly available at the touch of a remote control button.

    Fellows said the TVs don’t have Wi-Fi – because of the reliability issues and the potential for support costs.

    Bristol expects to launch the system in October, with 22" models being sold for under GBP £500.

  • Home Networking Over Coax & Phone Wiring to Double in Two Years


    Demand for web video on TVs and whole-home DVR capability is driving demand for coax and phoneline networking, according to In-Stat.

    This is making it an increasingly important solution for home network connectivity, particularly for service provider provisioned networks.

    So much so that In-Stat forecasts that cumulative households with an in-home provider network utilizing coax/phoneline technology in North America will more than double from 2008 to 2010.

    Joyce Putscher, In-Stat analyst, said consumers want web video on their TV and also increasingly want whole-home DVR capability.

    "Networking over coax makes particularly good sense in North America where 90 per cent of homes have pre-existing coax wiring," she said.

    The recent research by In-Stat found the following:

    • In 2010, average PC home network throughput will exceed 150 Mbps in North America, ahead of throughput in Asia/Pacific and European households.
    • Nearly 2/3 of consumer respondents from In-Stat’s survey expressed an interest in watching Internet Video on their TV
    • Two segregated home networks (HN) have been evolving– A service provider-centric network, and a PC-centric network. Each is leveraging different business models and technologies

  • Acme Packet SBCs for IMS Chosen by Two Euro Carriers


    Acme Packet has been selected by two European operators to provide them with IMS-based services.

    Telefonica O2 Germany and Telnor Sweden are to use Acme Packet Net-Net 4000 series session border controllers (SBCs) at access and interconnect borders for IMS services.

    Telefónica O2 Germany will use Acme Packet’s SBCs to provide key IP Multimedia Subsystem (IMS) functionality at its access and interconnect borders.

    The Net-Net Session Director (SD) enables the company to deploy a secure and interoperable IMS network supporting residential retail and wholesale VoIP services and IP interconnects with other service providers.

    Telenor Sweden, the second-largest service provider in Sweden, will also use SBCs to control the access and IP interconnect borders to its IMS data centers.

    Currently Telenor Sweden offers hosted business unified communications using its IMS service infrastructure.

    Seamus Hourihan, VP marketing and product management, Acme Packet

    Seamus Hourihan, vice president of marketing and product management for Acme Packet, said IMS had passed the hype stage but actual deployments had now arrived.

    He said the majority of current deployments of IMS are in Europe and the Asia-Pacific region but in Latin America and North America is growing.

    "Acme Packet Net-Net SBCs provide critical access and interconnect border functions—securing service elements, maximizing service reach and assuring SLAs—that enable service providers to deliver IMS-based services to business and residential customers," he said.

  • Digital Vision Launches USB Flash Drive DVR


    Digital Vision has launched the first USB flash drive-based digital video recorder (DVR).

    The UK company says its GiGo DV-DTR1 Digital TV recorder allows users to record content and then view it on devices such as laptops.

    Programmes are recorded in MPEG-2 format direct to any storage device plugged in to one of the DVR’s three front-facing USB ports.

    Playback is via the GiGo or via any device that supports MPEG-2 – allowing recorded content to be played on the move.

    Digital Vision said the GiGo box will be available from September for GBP £69.99 initially, although this will probably drop to £59.99.

    Functionalities include:

    • Record and playback digital TV
    • Copy from one device to another
    • Schedule recordings from the EPG onto three separate devices

  • MEDION Unveils Mobile HD Netbook


    MEDION has unveiled its next generation netbook – with an 11.6" HD display and ATI Radeon Xpress 1250 graphics.

    The AKOYA MINI E1312 appears to offer fast performance for its class. Equipped with AMD Sempron processor 210U power saving technology and 160 GB hard disk, the netbook is definitely geared at HD entertainment on the move.

    The TFT widescreen display presents HD resolution with 1366×768 pixels in a cinematic 16:9 format.

    The netbook also includes an HDMI output should users want to watch movies or look at photos on a larger screen.

    MEDION says the E1312’s 160GB S-ATA hard disk can comfortably hold over 30,000 songs or photos.

    It has a 6-cell Li-Ion battery (9-cell battery optional) and an in-flight mode to conveniently shut down all radio communications while on board a plane.

    There is also an integrated 1.3 MP webcam including microphone and Bluetooth 2.1.

    Connectivity options include three USB 2.0 ports, a 3-in-1 multi-format memory card reader, 802.11b/g/draft-n fast wireless networking capability and a 10/100MBit/s Ethernet port for high-speed file transfers.

    Available later this month in the UK and Ireland, it will be priced at GBP £339.99 and comes with a three-year warranty at no extra cost.

  • TELES Unveils ISDN VoIP Gateway with 8 BRI Interfaces


    TELES has launched a new 8 BRI port VoIP Gateway.

    The Berlin-based next generation networks and access gateway vendor said the product has been designed to meet demand for a high density, high performance solution for connecting enterprises to public telephony.

    Avi Ben Shlush, product marketing director at TELES, said the new product will allow VoIP service providers and system integrators to can offer a broader range of customers a straightforward migration path to VoIP – without having to sacrifice existing investment in PBX infrastructure.

    He said that as well as contributing to a substantial reduction in operating costs, the TELES VoIPBOX BRI also provides enhanced functionality.

    This includes:

    • an integrated, feature-rich IP PBX-in-a-box
    • advanced LCR functionality with AOC generation
    • SRTP protocol support
    • multiple media handling features

    Shlush said the VoIPBOX BRI is designed for a smooth and fast installation and is provided with an intuitive installation wizard for increased productivity.

    He said a comprehensive set of management tools allow customers to provision and operate small to large installations from a single location using either a web-based management tool or TELES NMS.

    "The implementation of TELES VoIPBOX BRI together with our C5 Business Trunking and IP Centrex products also enables our customers to offer a fully integrated solution from a single vendor," he said.

  • MetaSwitch Expands Carrier IP Solutions to Argentina


    VoIP solutions provider MetaSwitch has announced a strategic alliance with one of Argentina’s leading systems integrators as part of its on-going expansion into the South American market.

    The link-up with Technology Bureau will enable it to offer advanced IP voice services to residential and business subscribers.

    Technology Bureau has extensive experience managing telecommunication projects throughout Latin America.

    René Méndez, MetaSwitch’s vice president of sales for Latin America and the Caribbean, said it had been looking for a strong local partner to work with in Argentina.

    "Technology Bureau fits the bill and will handle provisioning, installation, maintenance and support, as well as a range of professional services from network engineering and training to turn-key solution deployment," said Méndez.

    "We are confident that Technology Bureau’s track record, expertise and penetration in the region will help us to quickly build our presence."

    The companies announced their joint sales strategies during their seminar program entitled "VoIP – Carrier Class, Next Generation Converged Solutions," which took place redently in Buenos Aires.

    Adrián Zamel, president of Technology Bureau, said it had close relationships with many regional network operators.

    He said there is strong demand for proven, high quality carrier VoIP solutions from stable, reliable vendors.

    "As we studied this market, it became clear that MetaSwitch is uniquely positioned for success and an ideal partner for us."

  • Nokia Quashes Android Smartphone Rumor, What About Netbook?


    Nokia has denied that it is developing a handset based on Google’s Android operating system.

    The response came after reports in the UK that the Finnish phone maker would announce an Android-based smartphone in September at the Nokia World Conference.

    Such a move would mean a massive change in direction for Nokia, which took full control of Symbian last year – in what was seen as a counter-move to the challenge posed by Android to its huge market share.

    Although Nokia remains the world’s biggest mobile handset manufacturer, its global share has slipped from 47 per cent in 2007 to 31 per cent at the end of 2008.

    A Nokia spokesman was adamant there is no plan to develop a handset supporting Symbian-rival Android software.

    "Absolutely no truth to this whatsoever," said the spokesman. "Everyone knows that Symbian is our preferred platform for advanced mobile devices."

    The Symbian operating system, in which Nokia has invested hundreds of millions of dollars, powers its Nokia N- and E-Series phones, among others.

    Nokia’s new partnership with Intel and some Android-based handsets would have been an interesting combination, no?

    But if it really is to be ruled out, perhaps there is still mileage in another theory – that Nokia is using Android as a basis for a 3G- or 4G-enabled netbook-type device powered by Intel’s chips.

  • Notebook Vendors Not Hopeful Windows 7 Will Boost SSD Sales


    Windows 7’s support for SSDs will not do much to boost sales because the price gap with HDDs is still too high.

    That’s according to a report in Digitimes, which spoke to sources at notebook vendors.

    Since current SSDs are priced around USD $4-5 per GB, while HDDs cost less than USD $0.50 per GB, the sources don’t expect SSDs to become the mainstream specification for at least three years.

    This is despite Windows 7 including several optimizations specifically targeted at SSD-equipped systems.

    The sources estimated the penetration rate of SSDs in notebooks in 2009 will only be around 1 per cent, equivalent to a volume of 1.5 million units.

  • Intel Advances Roadmap to Double SSD Capacity


    Intel is to implement the projected doubling of its SSD capacities earlier than expected – possibly as soon as next month.

    The current X18-M and X25-M solid-state drives (SSDs) use a 50nm process and have 80GB and 160GB capacities with 2-bit multi-level cell (MLC) technology.

    A single level cell (SLC) X25-E has faster I/O rates and comes in 32GB and 64GB capacities.

    In January, it was reported that Intel wanted to move to a smaller 34nm process and double the capacities with the 1.8-inch form factor X18-M and 2.5-inch form factor X25-M (M meaning Mainstream) moving to 160GB and 320GB capacities.

    This is now expected to take place, with the X25-E growing to 64GB and 128GB capacities.

    No information is available yet on pricing.