Business News Holding

Tag: internet

  • VideoWeb Introduces World First Hybrid HDTV Satellite Receiver

    VideoWeb has developed a receiver that combines HDTV broadcasting, internet TV and numerous internet applications in a single unit.

    The VideoWeb S500 brings WebTV programmes directly onto a TV screen and at the touch of a button on the remote control the television will screen an internet broadcast, in the same way as a conventional TV channel.

    It provides a wide range of internet services like Facebook, Picasa, Flickr, Twitter or Google Maps through the VideoWeb TV portal. The satellite receiver has the ability to receive all unencoded standard-definition and high-definition TV programmes.

    Doris Kucera, Press Officer of VideoWeb gave Biz-News.com reporters a short introduction to the company as well as a live demonstration of Plus X Award-nominated WidoWeb S500.

  • Mobile Tag Barcode Technology On Paris Bus Shelters


    Mobile Tag has announced that it has been selected by JCDecaux as the technological partner to deploy flashcodes (2D barcodes) on bus shelters within the Quartier Numérique (Digital Area) in Paris, France.

    The 2D mobile barcode specialist said the new flashcode service – called Mobilités – will offer both Parisians and tourists access to external content via mobile phones with Internet access.

    The 19 JCDecaux bus shelters in the Quartier Numérique give instant access to practical, historical, cultural and entertaining content using Mobile Tag’s technology.

    To obtain content, users simply shoot one of the flashcodes (2D barcodes) located on either side of the bus shelter with their mobile phone’s camera, which then gives instant access to the mobile portal via their Internet connection.

    Christian Francois Viala, marketing director for Mobile Tag, said it was an important moment for Mobile Tag and flashcode deployment.

    Mobile Tag also provides MEEPASS, a new mobile identification product that the company showcased at this year’s Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

    "The Mobilités service offers great visibility for 2D barcodes," he said.

    "We plan to develop this offer with additional services, giving Mobilités the chance to grow and become part of the day-to-day lives of Parisians."

  • West & Central African Com: Market "Hungry" for Internet and Access to Real-Time Information


    VIDEO INTERVIEW: Robert Aouad, CEO of Isocel Telecom, was interviewed at the recent West & Central African Com conference held in Abuja, Nigeria. He talks about the prospects for, and handicaps to, growth of the broadband market in Benin, where Isocel forecasts it will be providing Internet connections to 50% of the population by 2010.

  • Demand for VoIP Solutions Likely to Rise with Spread of Satellite Broadband Technology


    VoIP solutions are likely to benefit from more people around the world seeking to access the internet using satellite technology, according to research from Global Industry Analysts.

    The technology has been tipped as a possible way to provide broadband services in more remote, rural communities where it will be much more difficult to deploy conventional broadband infrastructure.

    The analysts said this could mean that web users have better use of VoIP solutions and are able to access high-speed downloads many miles from the nearest telephone exchange.

    The study said: "The satellite broadband’s capability to extend unique services such as rural telephony, e-distance learning and telemedicine services is enticing the prospective market participants in a major way."

    It added that the value of the satellite broadband market could reach nearly GBP £4 billion within six years if the interest and subsequent take-up continues to grow.

  • New HDMI Cable Adds Internet Data to Video and Audio


    A new version of the High-Definition Multimedia Interface (HDMI) cable has been announced by the industry alliance responsible for licensing the specification.

    HDMI Licensing said the upgraded 1.4 version of HDMI will make it easier to connect Internet-connected HD video devices to TVs and other appliances.

    The new cable will be able to transfer Internet data as well as video and audio data – something that the existing version isn’t able to do.

    It will mean users can get rid of the Ethernet cables connecting every web-connected device. It transfers data at up to 100 megabits per second.

    According to market research firm In-Stat, over 394 million HDMI-enabled devices are expected to ship in 2009, with an installed base of 1 billion devices.

    By the end of 2009 100 per cent of digital televisions are expected to have at least one HDMI input.

    Among the other improvements offered by the new HDMI version are networking capabilities with Ethernet connectivity and an Audio Return Channel to enable upstream audio connections via the HDMI cable.

    Steve Venuti, president of HDMI Licensing, said the the 1.4 specification will support some of the most exciting and powerful near-term innovations, such as Ethernet connectivity and 3D formats.

    "Additionally, we are going to broaden our solution by providing a smaller connector for portable devices and a connection system specified for automobiles, as we see both more and different devices adopting the HDMI technology," he said.

    Venuti said consumers will also see new HDMI cables introduced to the market.

    In order to take advantage of the HDMI Ethernet Channel, consumers will need to purchase either a Standard HDMI cable with Ethernet, or a High Speed HDMI cable with Ethernet.

    Consumers connecting an external device to an in-vehicle HDMI-enabled HD system will need the new Automotive HDMI cable.

    Functions offered by the HDMI 1.4 specification include:

    • HDMI Ethernet Channel: The HDMI 1.4 specification will add a data channel to the HDMI cable and will enable high-speed bi-directional communication. Connected devices that include this feature will be able to send and receive data via 100 Mb/sec Ethernet, making them instantly ready for any IP-based application.
    • The HDMI Ethernet Channel will allow an Internet-enabled HDMI device to share its Internet connection with other HDMI devices without the need for a separate Ethernet cable. The new feature will also provide the connection platform to allow HDMI-enabled devices to share content between devices.
    • Audio Return Channel: The new specification will add an Audio Return Channel that will reduce the number of cables required to deliver audio upstream for processing and playback. In cases where HDTVs are directly receiving audio and video content, this new Audio Return Channel allows the HDTV to send the audio stream to the A/V receiver over the HDMI cable, eliminating the need for an extra cable.
    • 3D Over HDMI: The 1.4 version of the specification will define common 3D formats and resolutions for HDMI-enabled devices. The specification will standardize the input/output portion of the home 3D system and will specify up to dual-stream 1080p resolution.
    • 4K x 2K Resolution Support: The new specification will enable HDMI devices to support high-definition (HD) resolutions four times beyond the resolution of 1080p. Support for 4K x 2K will allow the HDMI interface to transmit content at the same resolution as many digital theaters. Formats supported include:  3840×2160 24Hz/25Hz/30Hz and 4096×2160 24Hz
    • Expanded Support For Color Spaces: HDMI technology now supports color spaces designed specifically for digital still cameras. By supporting sYCC601, Adobe RGB and AdobeYCC601, HDMI-enabled display devices will be capable of reproducing more accurate life-like colors when connected to a digital still camera.
    • Micro HDMI Connector: The Micro HDMI Connector is a significantly smaller 19-pin connector that supports up to 1080p resolutions for portable devices. This new connector is approximately 50 per cent smaller than the size of the existing HDMI Mini Connector.
    • Automotive Connection System: The Automotive Connection System is a cabling specification designed to be used as the basis for in-vehicle HD content distribution. The HDMI 1.4 specification will provide a solution designed to meet the rigors and environmental issues commonly found in automobiles, such as heat, vibration and noise. Using the Automotive Connection System, automobile manufactures will now have a viable solution for distributing HD content within the car

    The HDMI specification 1.4 will be available for download no later than June 30, 2009.

  • Rackable Systems Announces First Quarter Fiscal 2009 Financial Results


    Rackable Systems this week announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2009.

    The ecological server and storage product provider reported Q1 revenue of USD $44.4 Million, up 14 percent sequentially, including delivery of two ICE Cube containerized data centers.

    Total revenue for the first quarter ending April 4, 2009, was USD $44.4 million, compared to USD $38.8 million for the fourth quarter of 2008 and USD $67.8 million in the first quarter of 2008.

    Mark J. Barrenechea, president and CEO of Rackable Systems, said he was pleased with its revenue and working capital progress quarter over quarter.

    But he admitted dissatisfaction with the overall results.

    "Although the economic turmoil will remain a challenge in 2009, we are focused on accelerating innovative products to market, controlling expenses and completing the acquisition of Silicon Graphics’ assets, enabling us to achieve better gross margins and customer diversification," he said.

    Rackable Systems ended the first quarter of 2009 with USD $181.2 million in cash, cash equivalents, long-term and short-term investments, compared to USD $180.6 million at the end of last quarter.

    The company’s lower gross margin was attributed to three factors:

    • reducing high-cost inventories of certain components through aggressive pricing
    • the significant revenue mix of our large Internet data center business
    • increased competitive pressure from various server vendors offering aggressive deals during the quarter

    Rackable Systems has received court approval to acquire substantially all the assets of Silicon Graphics, Inc. for USD $42.5 million in cash, plus the assumption of certain liabilities associated with the acquired assets.

    The acquisition is anticipated to be completed by approximately in May subject to the satisfaction of closing conditions.

  • Vudu Halves Cost Of Basic Player


    The cost of VUDU’s basic 250GB VUDU HD player has been halved to USD $150.

    According to the on-demand internet provider the move is not a sign of looming financial problems.

    It stresses that the dramatic price cut is due to positive factors.

    These are cited as a combination of lower component prices, higher movie revenues and increased content demand following strong holiday sales.

    In October, VUDU launched a new video format to rival Blu-ray called HDX.

    It delivers full 1080p at 24 fps to screens 40 inches and up via web distribution using VUDU’s TruFilm compression technology.

    As well as the VUDU HD, the company is reducing the price of its home theater, VUDU XL, to USD $499 and adding in a connectivity pack that previously cost more than $100.

    VUDU’s content library now runs to more than 13,000 movies and TV shows – including what it claims is the world’s largest HD library of more than 1,300 titles.

  • Panasonic Takes Blu-ray Portable


    Panasonic has unveiled the first portable Blu-ray player at the CES in Las Vegas.

    The DMP-B15 features an 8.9-inch WSVGA display and along with the ability to play Blu-ray discs it also has access (via Ethernet connection to the Internet) to VIERA CAST.

    Fully Profile 2.0 (BD-Live) compliant it also features an SD card.

    The DMP-B15 offers three hours of playback time through a built-in rechargeable battery.

    It can also be connected to an HDTV using an HDMI connection, which means that it could technically be used as a stand-alone player in the home, or even while on the go.

    The DMP-B15 will be available beginning in May 2009, no details yet on the expected cost.

  • NXP Chip Brings High-end HDTV Quality Into Mainstream


    NXP has launched a new global single-chip LCD TV platform that it claims will give mid-range TVs an HD viewing experience previously only available on higher end sets.

    Founded by Philips, the semiconductor company believes its new platform will allow manufacturers and content providers to bring a broad range of Internet and digital video content to a significantly wider audience.

    The new NXP TV550 platform combines the manufacturer’s digital TV processing and picture quality technology into one fully integrated single-chip.

    This enables it to deliver a production-ready reference design that speeds manufacturers’ development and dramatically reduces bill-of-materials, according to NXP.

    Christos Lagomichos, executive vice president and general manager of BU Home, NXP Semiconductors, said the new platform would enable manufacturers to offer a range of advanced high definition TV features only previously available in high-end sets.

    Key to this was NXP’s PNX85500 processor and proprietary Motion Accurate Picture Processing (MAPP2) technology.

    The TV550 platform will be available in engineering samples in Q1 2009.

    The NXP TV550 features:

    • DVB-T
    • MPEG4/H.264 decode
    • HDMI reception
    • Decoding of digital SD and HD content
    • advanced programming
    • ethernet
    • CI+ security features to ease the delivery of IP TV content.

  • Opera Mini Updated And Working On Android


    The final release of the Opera Mini 4.2 browser is now available – and it works on Google’s Android phone.

    Opera Mini 4.2 is the first browser alternative for the Android platform, which comes preloaded with Chrome light.

    Already known for its fast internet access, Opera claims this has increased in speed by more than 30 per cent for users in the US since the previous beta version launched.

    It says the improvemnt is largely due to the opening of a new Opera Mini server park in the US – the Java ME-based browser works by rendering pages on a server and then sending them to the device, so reducing the connectivity demands of the phone.

    As well as being available for the T-Mobile G1 – as a download from the Android Market – Opera Mini also works with some Blackberry and Windows Mobile handsets.

    Opera reports that 21 million unique users browsed five billion pages using the Opera Mini beta in October 2008 alone, totaling a 490 per cent increase since October 2007.

    Other improvements to Opera Mini 4.2 include:

    • More than 90 language versions, including the recently added Amharic, Armenian, Assamese, Bengali, Gujarati, Kannada, Kirghiz, Lingala, Marathi, Malayalam, Mongolian, Oriya, Punjabi, Pashto, Sinhala, Tajik, Tamil, Telugu, Urdu, Uzbek, Khmer, Kashmiri, Lao and Turkmen
    • Funky new skins for personalizing the look of Opera Mini
    • Opera Link support for notes, allowing users to sync their notes between the PC and Opera Mini
    • Improved real time streaming protocol (RTSP) handoff. This increases the number of phones with support for mobile video.