AIM and various other music bodies held a press conference to introduce their new concept of "A value recognition right". Their view is that content is adding value to distribution channels like broadband, mobile phones, even Bluetooth and because it's adding value it should be licensable.
Arguments included that 60% of Internet traffic is Peer to Peer (initially they stated music P2P, but changed that to general P2P including services like Skype). People choose broadband because of music P2P, therefore they can license ISPs as part of the value add content chain.
Is it not the other way around, most people get broadband then find P2P easy to use, so use it?
Copy Levy (the relevent law) is really based on analogue and doesn't fit into the digital world, so they want to change the law so digital means charge the distribution players, not the consumer.
That's got to have something to do with the very bad press the music industry has got from suing private individuals, it's much easier to sue the broadband providers who are nasty big corporates and who cares about them? Except margins are so low in the broadband industry that having to pay music royalties etc may well criple the providers which will stifle an industry killing it instead of allowing it to grow and providing the digital economy that the government wants.
The industry are adament it's not a "stealth tax" - which of course it isn't, or maybe it is?
2006/07/10
Microsoft to release iPod'alike
It's rumoured MS are going to release a portable media player to rival the iPod, but it will have wireless networking so tracks can be downloaded straight into the unit.
They've already teamed up with MTV with a music site (Urgle), and the player will work with it.
Apple dominate the music download scene, both with the iTunes store and iPods.
They've already teamed up with MTV with a music site (Urgle), and the player will work with it.
Apple dominate the music download scene, both with the iTunes store and iPods.
2006/07/06
Startup Camp
A new site started by some Skype guys. Aims to foster entrepeneurs, investors etc.
See Startup Camp
So if you've got an idea head over there.
See Startup Camp
So if you've got an idea head over there.
2006/07/04
TomTom 910
The new TomTom GO series look better than the old. The software has also been upgraded and is a definate improvement, especially with the TomTom HOME Windows software which automagically manages updates of both the GO's software and content (i.e. safety camera database).
The navigation software has been improved, and if it knows the speed of the road warns you when you're breaking the speed limit and flashes when you're very over it.
The 910 has complete maps of Europe and the US and can do all sorts of music and picture bits and works with an iPod.
The major criticism is that accessories you might have for an older version, don't work with the new one.
The navigation software has been improved, and if it knows the speed of the road warns you when you're breaking the speed limit and flashes when you're very over it.
The 910 has complete maps of Europe and the US and can do all sorts of music and picture bits and works with an iPod.
The major criticism is that accessories you might have for an older version, don't work with the new one.
GPS or GNSS signal repeaters
Ofcom has today released a statement on the use of GPS (Global Positioning Satellite) or other RNSS (Radionavigation Satellite system) repeaters.
Though there is a specification for this type of equipment (Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 SI 730), users still need a license to utilise such equipment in the UK.
Ofcom have the ability to prosecute users under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 as broadcasting without a license is potentially an offence under the Act.
Whether they do prosecute is another matter, however they can prosecute importers of equipment as knowingly selling such equipment which can only be used illegally can also be an offence.
Though there is a specification for this type of equipment (Radio and Telecommunications Terminal Equipment Regulations 2000 SI 730), users still need a license to utilise such equipment in the UK.
Ofcom have the ability to prosecute users under the Wireless Telegraphy Act 1949 as broadcasting without a license is potentially an offence under the Act.
Whether they do prosecute is another matter, however they can prosecute importers of equipment as knowingly selling such equipment which can only be used illegally can also be an offence.
2006/07/03
El Reg article
I got my first article published by The Register, it's why WiMAX won't fly in the UK.
2006/06/30
Voice pricing - when will it hit zero?
Both fixed line telcos and VoIP service providers are moving to flat rate bundles with all you can eat national dialing. This is all based on people not actually using their phone all the time, as in Europe termination charging still occurs on the public switched telephone network (PSTN).
BT's new broadband packages start at £9.95 (for the first 6 months) which includes free evening and weekend calls. Vonage's service costs £7.99 per month with free anytime packages (but you need a broadband package on top of that).
The broadband offerings may not quite be what they seem as they are bandwidth capped, so using the phone all the time may push the user over their limit (so extra charges may apply - BT may not count VoIP packets, it not clear).
Even with landline packages, Carphone Warehouse's TalkTalk packages include all you can eat national dialing for £10 per month (and they throw in broadband).
When BT release their 21CN network, it's going to cost them more to bill (UK) calls than to charge for them - or at least flat rate them.
Skype offers sensible international rates, but even they are being forced into price drops as the competition hots up, signing up in the US now gives completely free calls to the US and other countries.
As everyone moves to zero or flat rate calls the telcos are going to struggle, they're used to billing minutes and have an industry out of it. They are going to suffer badly when their revenues decline. More consolidation, more firms going belly-up. That all sounds good initially, but then there's actually less competition and the market will end up with a few super Telco/ISPs.
It all comes down to Bell heads vs Net heads, and the Net heads are winning, though there's trouble in that area too as the US is fighting to make content providers pay more for people accessing their services, VoIP may fall into that category.
What's good for the consumer in the short run, may be disasterous for the industry and thus competition long term.
BT's new broadband packages start at £9.95 (for the first 6 months) which includes free evening and weekend calls. Vonage's service costs £7.99 per month with free anytime packages (but you need a broadband package on top of that).
The broadband offerings may not quite be what they seem as they are bandwidth capped, so using the phone all the time may push the user over their limit (so extra charges may apply - BT may not count VoIP packets, it not clear).
Even with landline packages, Carphone Warehouse's TalkTalk packages include all you can eat national dialing for £10 per month (and they throw in broadband).
When BT release their 21CN network, it's going to cost them more to bill (UK) calls than to charge for them - or at least flat rate them.
Skype offers sensible international rates, but even they are being forced into price drops as the competition hots up, signing up in the US now gives completely free calls to the US and other countries.
As everyone moves to zero or flat rate calls the telcos are going to struggle, they're used to billing minutes and have an industry out of it. They are going to suffer badly when their revenues decline. More consolidation, more firms going belly-up. That all sounds good initially, but then there's actually less competition and the market will end up with a few super Telco/ISPs.
It all comes down to Bell heads vs Net heads, and the Net heads are winning, though there's trouble in that area too as the US is fighting to make content providers pay more for people accessing their services, VoIP may fall into that category.
What's good for the consumer in the short run, may be disasterous for the industry and thus competition long term.
Top 10 Broadband providers
Point Topic have released figures about the number of broadband lines in the UK, BT lead the pack with almost 2.5m customers, followed by NTL (1.7m) and AOL (1.3m).
Company Q4 2005 Q1 2006
BT Retail 2229 2481
NTL 1625 1726
AOL 1150 1300
Telewest 1005 1096
Tiscali 934 1085
Wanadoo 906 986
Pipex 283 311
PlusNet 176 194
Virgin.net 167 193
Tesco 120 132
Others 1218 1227
Total 9813 10730
These figures don't take into account the NTL/Telewest merger which puts them squarely in the lead with a combined number of nearly 3m ahead of BT's 2.5m.
They also don't take into account Carphone Warehouse, who took on 340,000 broadband customers as part of their TalkTalk service in the first month or so.
Wandadoo (now Orange) will also likely jump significantly as they now offer free broadband with any Orange mobile package over £30/month.
It looks like they'll only be a few operators left in the near future with other providers being forced to sell-out to to the bigger players as margins erode and more bundle offerings come into play.
There will always be BT, but NTL/Telewest still have large numbers of customers and with the purchase of Virgin Mobile can offer a quad play (voice, tv, internet and mobile - so they have the potential to stay ahead of the game), but Carphone Warehouse shouldn't be forgotten and Orange are making a big push.
In 5 years times, don't bet on many other telecoms providers being left in the game.
Company Q4 2005 Q1 2006
BT Retail 2229 2481
NTL 1625 1726
AOL 1150 1300
Telewest 1005 1096
Tiscali 934 1085
Wanadoo 906 986
Pipex 283 311
PlusNet 176 194
Virgin.net 167 193
Tesco 120 132
Others 1218 1227
Total 9813 10730
These figures don't take into account the NTL/Telewest merger which puts them squarely in the lead with a combined number of nearly 3m ahead of BT's 2.5m.
They also don't take into account Carphone Warehouse, who took on 340,000 broadband customers as part of their TalkTalk service in the first month or so.
Wandadoo (now Orange) will also likely jump significantly as they now offer free broadband with any Orange mobile package over £30/month.
It looks like they'll only be a few operators left in the near future with other providers being forced to sell-out to to the bigger players as margins erode and more bundle offerings come into play.
There will always be BT, but NTL/Telewest still have large numbers of customers and with the purchase of Virgin Mobile can offer a quad play (voice, tv, internet and mobile - so they have the potential to stay ahead of the game), but Carphone Warehouse shouldn't be forgotten and Orange are making a big push.
In 5 years times, don't bet on many other telecoms providers being left in the game.
UK plans for digital switchover win International backing
Ofcom petitioned the ITU's (International Telecommunications Union) Regional Radiocommunication Conference to allocate the frequencies for digital terrestrial TV (Freeview) so it can be received across the UK (reaching about 98.5% of the population, which is equivalent to existing analogue broadcasts).
There is also concensus to release the analogue channels (after switchover) in a technology neutral manner (with restrictions).
This has been hard work for Ofcom, but a rewarding outcome.
There is also concensus to release the analogue channels (after switchover) in a technology neutral manner (with restrictions).
This has been hard work for Ofcom, but a rewarding outcome.
BT announces Home Hub
This is BT's major entry into the converged home network offering broadband, voice (over IP) and in the future TV.
There's a range of equipment that comes with it, and it's very iPod'esque. A wireless hub and a VoIP phone.
Currently pricing is £9.95 per month for 8Mb/s ADSL including free evening and weekend calls (max duration 60 minutes to 01/01 numbers) for the first 6 months, then it's £17.99 per month.
Also included is 250 minutes per month of BT Openzone WiFi access, which should appeal to home business users as they can just connect via a hotspot and get access to their normal services.
Later this year BT Vision will be included which brings in IPTV.
Other broadband companies will struggle to keep up, and before they know it, BT will launch their 21st Century Network and then the battle will really hot up.
There's a range of equipment that comes with it, and it's very iPod'esque. A wireless hub and a VoIP phone.
Currently pricing is £9.95 per month for 8Mb/s ADSL including free evening and weekend calls (max duration 60 minutes to 01/01 numbers) for the first 6 months, then it's £17.99 per month.
Also included is 250 minutes per month of BT Openzone WiFi access, which should appeal to home business users as they can just connect via a hotspot and get access to their normal services.
Later this year BT Vision will be included which brings in IPTV.
Other broadband companies will struggle to keep up, and before they know it, BT will launch their 21st Century Network and then the battle will really hot up.
Adobe releases Flash 9
The latest and greatest version of the Flash player is out. This seems to iron out the detection bugs that plagued the v8 player after Microsoft made some security updates to Internet Explorer.
It's available for Windows and MacOS X (10.1 or higher) and supports IE, Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera and Safari (and a few others).
Available from Adobe's site.
It's available for Windows and MacOS X (10.1 or higher) and supports IE, Firefox, Mozilla, Netscape, Opera and Safari (and a few others).
Available from Adobe's site.
2006/06/29
Skype Hardware Jamboree
Skype today held a press day where they showed off the latest hardware that was compatible with the Skype software.
Some companies there were unexpected - like Motorola who were showing their latest headphones which are Bluetooth and work with music players and Skype alike. They had a "box" of a media device (no actual device on show) which is Bluetooth bidirectional system which plugs into the HiFi (with real cables) but Bluetooth to PC/iPod/Headphones and does magic between everything. They also had some Oakley sunglasses with Motorola Bluetooth inside which were reasonably light.
Sennheiser has some nice headphones too.
Sandisk had an interesting system, a USB memory dongle that come pre-installed with various apps (including Skype). If you try and delete the apps it doesn't work as they reside in protected memory, though they can be upgraded. You plug the dongle into your PC and it copies various configurations in to itself, then when you plug it into a laptop, there they are - all the same configs. It even works with Outlook so your contacts/Emails/notes/etc go into the dongle, which will then configure Outlook on the laptop (if it's installed). However if Outlook isn't on the laptop it pretends to be Outlook and everything is still there for you, any new calendar entries or mail/etc are sync'ed back to Outlook when the dongle's plugged back into the PC.
Creative had some new web cams, D-Link a Skype ATA (analogue telephone adapater) which means you don't need a PC to run Skype and turns into into a Vonage like service where you just connect the box to the LAN and a normal phone into the box.
Once again (this seems to be a recurring theme at techie exhibitions, launches, anything that needs bandwidth) connectivity wasn't good, so most things had to be demonstrated locally - 1Mb/s ADSL just isn't sensible for that many people.
One things for certain, Skype will be everywhere and it's getting easier to use. Now they need to make some money.
Some companies there were unexpected - like Motorola who were showing their latest headphones which are Bluetooth and work with music players and Skype alike. They had a "box" of a media device (no actual device on show) which is Bluetooth bidirectional system which plugs into the HiFi (with real cables) but Bluetooth to PC/iPod/Headphones and does magic between everything. They also had some Oakley sunglasses with Motorola Bluetooth inside which were reasonably light.
Sennheiser has some nice headphones too.
Sandisk had an interesting system, a USB memory dongle that come pre-installed with various apps (including Skype). If you try and delete the apps it doesn't work as they reside in protected memory, though they can be upgraded. You plug the dongle into your PC and it copies various configurations in to itself, then when you plug it into a laptop, there they are - all the same configs. It even works with Outlook so your contacts/Emails/notes/etc go into the dongle, which will then configure Outlook on the laptop (if it's installed). However if Outlook isn't on the laptop it pretends to be Outlook and everything is still there for you, any new calendar entries or mail/etc are sync'ed back to Outlook when the dongle's plugged back into the PC.
Creative had some new web cams, D-Link a Skype ATA (analogue telephone adapater) which means you don't need a PC to run Skype and turns into into a Vonage like service where you just connect the box to the LAN and a normal phone into the box.
Once again (this seems to be a recurring theme at techie exhibitions, launches, anything that needs bandwidth) connectivity wasn't good, so most things had to be demonstrated locally - 1Mb/s ADSL just isn't sensible for that many people.
One things for certain, Skype will be everywhere and it's getting easier to use. Now they need to make some money.
Ofcom announces release of spectrum suitable for new broadband services
Ofcom Website | Ofcom announces release of spectrum suitable for new broadband services
Ofcom is proposing to offer spectrum in the 10GHz, 28GHz and 32GHz bands which can be used for broadband (or other) services.
Likely uses are: -
* Broadcast wireless/video links which could be used in the 2012 London Olympics.
* High bandwidth fixed links (backhaul)
* Broadband access in 10GHz and 28GHz
Ofcom is proposing 12 licenses, which will consist of the following: -
* 10 GHz – a single UK-wide licence of 2x100 MHz;
* 28 GHz – two UK-wide licences each of 2x112 MHz, plus three geographically limited licences each of 2x112 MHz which can only operate in certain areas
* 32 GHz – six UK-wide licences each of 2x126 MHz.
The consultation closes Sept 7, 2006 and the licenses will be offered in 2007.
Ofcom is proposing to offer spectrum in the 10GHz, 28GHz and 32GHz bands which can be used for broadband (or other) services.
Likely uses are: -
* Broadcast wireless/video links which could be used in the 2012 London Olympics.
* High bandwidth fixed links (backhaul)
* Broadband access in 10GHz and 28GHz
Ofcom is proposing 12 licenses, which will consist of the following: -
* 10 GHz – a single UK-wide licence of 2x100 MHz;
* 28 GHz – two UK-wide licences each of 2x112 MHz, plus three geographically limited licences each of 2x112 MHz which can only operate in certain areas
* 32 GHz – six UK-wide licences each of 2x126 MHz.
The consultation closes Sept 7, 2006 and the licenses will be offered in 2007.
2006/06/26
Google updates Picasa with Web Gallery
Google acquired an image organisation tool known as Picasa, then updated it as Picasa2 and made it all free.
Now Picasa2 has been updated again (in beta) and it links to a Google hosted web gallery. Currently invite only (or if you have a Google Mail account you can apply for one, they're given out on a first come first serve as available basis). You get 250MB of space, though for $25 per annum that goes up to 6GB (though as with other Google services the space will probably increase for no additional cost).
What's next in-line? Printing services and all that goes with it?
Follow the link for my test where you can get more info from Google.
Now Picasa2 has been updated again (in beta) and it links to a Google hosted web gallery. Currently invite only (or if you have a Google Mail account you can apply for one, they're given out on a first come first serve as available basis). You get 250MB of space, though for $25 per annum that goes up to 6GB (though as with other Google services the space will probably increase for no additional cost).
What's next in-line? Printing services and all that goes with it?
Follow the link for my test where you can get more info from Google.
Google adds ads to video
Google is trialing the addition of advertising to some of the premium videos available through Google Video. There'll be a banner ad as the video plays (in the video player system) and a streaming video ad at the end of the video.
Google haven't said how long the trial will last, though it will be trialed on about 2,000 videos and advertisers can specify the videos they want their ads with.
Google haven't said how long the trial will last, though it will be trialed on about 2,000 videos and advertisers can specify the videos they want their ads with.
Sealand burns
There is a small old fort of the coast of England (about 7 miles out) built during the war which was occupied after it was disused by the military, to become Sealand. They declared independance, though they aren't really recognised by any international organisation as seperate country.
In the dot com boom someone decided Sealand would make a great off-shore hosting centre, not prone to UK laws etc. and Havenco was set-up. Any links to or from the old fort would have to pass in or out of another country - or maybe via satellite.
This weekend a fire broke out after an electrical fault with a generator. It seems it was a major blaze. The UK Coastguard attended the fire with a "fireboat" and dumped a lot of water on the building after an RF helicoptor winched the only crew member on site (a generator maintenace person) to safety and on to Ipswich hospital. The fireboat spent about 4 hours putting the fireout.
It's likely that ammount of water, on top of the fire damage, may well put Sealand out of action permanently.
As Sealand has declared itself independant, who should pay for all the efforts that went into the exercise? The RLNI (lifeboats) are completely paid for by donations, but the RAF helicopter which winched the maintenance guy to safety is paid for by the British Government (well all the tax payers), maybe a big bill to the self-proclaimed King of Sealand.
In the dot com boom someone decided Sealand would make a great off-shore hosting centre, not prone to UK laws etc. and Havenco was set-up. Any links to or from the old fort would have to pass in or out of another country - or maybe via satellite.
This weekend a fire broke out after an electrical fault with a generator. It seems it was a major blaze. The UK Coastguard attended the fire with a "fireboat" and dumped a lot of water on the building after an RF helicoptor winched the only crew member on site (a generator maintenace person) to safety and on to Ipswich hospital. The fireboat spent about 4 hours putting the fireout.
It's likely that ammount of water, on top of the fire damage, may well put Sealand out of action permanently.
As Sealand has declared itself independant, who should pay for all the efforts that went into the exercise? The RLNI (lifeboats) are completely paid for by donations, but the RAF helicopter which winched the maintenance guy to safety is paid for by the British Government (well all the tax payers), maybe a big bill to the self-proclaimed King of Sealand.
2006/06/22
Skype offers US users free international calls
In order to promote value added services like SkypeOut, US Skype users are being offered 60 minutes of free calls to 30 international countries.
Skype has already offered Canadian customers free calls to Canada or the United States until the end of the year.
Though Skype has a huge installed base, most customers use Skype for Skype to Skype calls/chat and don't use value add services, which is where Skype make their money. With competition hotting up (Gizmo project, Microsoft's Live Messenger, Yahoo and others) Skype need to maintain their lead and get their users to start paying for things. Ebay will soon have a SkypeMe button available to sellers allowing buyers to directly ask sellers questions.
Skype software is also being embedded into devices like VoIP phones and even mobile phones, but there may be problems as mobile operators block VoIP services as they lose revenue on voice calls.
Skype, as a peer-to-peer service, requires supernodes in the network to ensure NAT'ed users can communicate with each other. Supernoded users have all their bandwidth utilised by Skype - which isn't good for say company networks. Skype don't tell users how to diable this functionality and so many network managers are just blocking Skype altogether.
Though Skype is a useful too, for it to become a real business solution, Skype need to allow users more control of what it's doing behind the scenes.
Skype has already offered Canadian customers free calls to Canada or the United States until the end of the year.
Though Skype has a huge installed base, most customers use Skype for Skype to Skype calls/chat and don't use value add services, which is where Skype make their money. With competition hotting up (Gizmo project, Microsoft's Live Messenger, Yahoo and others) Skype need to maintain their lead and get their users to start paying for things. Ebay will soon have a SkypeMe button available to sellers allowing buyers to directly ask sellers questions.
Skype software is also being embedded into devices like VoIP phones and even mobile phones, but there may be problems as mobile operators block VoIP services as they lose revenue on voice calls.
Skype, as a peer-to-peer service, requires supernodes in the network to ensure NAT'ed users can communicate with each other. Supernoded users have all their bandwidth utilised by Skype - which isn't good for say company networks. Skype don't tell users how to diable this functionality and so many network managers are just blocking Skype altogether.
Though Skype is a useful too, for it to become a real business solution, Skype need to allow users more control of what it's doing behind the scenes.
O2 buys Be
O2 the UK mobile operator (now owned by Telefonica of Spain) has agreed to by Be a UK broadband provider for £50m. This may seem a lot for an ISP with only 10,000 customers, but the other options available to them would likely cost more.
Orange have followed Carphone Warehouse's "free" broadband offering, Vodafone have indicated they want to offer broadband/fixed line services too.
Orange had it easy as they already had a broadband division (Wanadoo), but other mobile operators would have to start from new or buy an existing broadband provider.
In the UK that gets difficult, there are only a few LLU operators. Wanadoo (well Orange) are out of the picture, it's unlikely O2 could get the TalkTalk service as that would probably mean buying Carphone Warehouse, the same for Bulldog (C&W) and Easynet are owned by Sky.
That really only left Be. They're a tiny operator compared to the others, but they have gone into 150 BT Exchanges with more planned and they were the first with ADSL2+ (24Mb/s). With the cash the O2 bring with them and their marketing O2 could push them forward and make them a leading broadband provider, which O2 can then bundle with mobile deals.
So £50m probably isn't really that much compared to what they'd have to pay to do something else. The owners of Be must be enjoying their fruits though.
Orange have followed Carphone Warehouse's "free" broadband offering, Vodafone have indicated they want to offer broadband/fixed line services too.
Orange had it easy as they already had a broadband division (Wanadoo), but other mobile operators would have to start from new or buy an existing broadband provider.
In the UK that gets difficult, there are only a few LLU operators. Wanadoo (well Orange) are out of the picture, it's unlikely O2 could get the TalkTalk service as that would probably mean buying Carphone Warehouse, the same for Bulldog (C&W) and Easynet are owned by Sky.
That really only left Be. They're a tiny operator compared to the others, but they have gone into 150 BT Exchanges with more planned and they were the first with ADSL2+ (24Mb/s). With the cash the O2 bring with them and their marketing O2 could push them forward and make them a leading broadband provider, which O2 can then bundle with mobile deals.
So £50m probably isn't really that much compared to what they'd have to pay to do something else. The owners of Be must be enjoying their fruits though.
2006/06/20
New Infrant Radiator OS Beta out
Anyone using an Infrant NAS should have a look at the features on the new beta Infrant forums, it now supports 2TB volumes which will at last allow 4 x 750GB disks to be used (though some of the space will go unused, this is expected to change before it comes out of beta).
Anyone looking for a lot of home/business storage should seriously look at Infrant and their solutions. They aren't the cheapest, but they perform exceptionally well while supporting lots of network protocols (NFS, CIFS, AFS, HTTP/S, WebDAV, FTP and more). They're also incredibly easy to install and maintain.
Anyone looking for a lot of home/business storage should seriously look at Infrant and their solutions. They aren't the cheapest, but they perform exceptionally well while supporting lots of network protocols (NFS, CIFS, AFS, HTTP/S, WebDAV, FTP and more). They're also incredibly easy to install and maintain.
Google releases SketchUp for Mac
The free version of SketchUp now supports Macs as well as Windows. Users can import various 3D file formats, including those used in Google Earth.
Users can also upload their SketchUp content to a gallery (if they've got a Google username).
This adds another notch in the bedpost of Google apps available, which must be terrifying their competitors. Where will it stop?
Users can also upload their SketchUp content to a gallery (if they've got a Google username).
This adds another notch in the bedpost of Google apps available, which must be terrifying their competitors. Where will it stop?
Adobe releases Lightroom Beta3
Adobe has released the 3rd beta of their professional photo workflow software. It's still available only for Macs (though is Universal so works on both PowerPC and Intel Macs), but a Windows release is promised later this year.
It's got many new features suggested by developers and now supports Camera Raw 3.4 which supports some of the newer cameras.
This will directly compete with Apple's Apperture which is their professional package for the same market.
It's got many new features suggested by developers and now supports Camera Raw 3.4 which supports some of the newer cameras.
This will directly compete with Apple's Apperture which is their professional package for the same market.
BlueRay to appear next week
BlueRay players and discs are set to launch in the US next week, they'll also be some titles released along with the players. These are "50 First Dates," "The Fifth Element," and "The Terminator.". "Ultraviolet," will launch simultaneously with the DVD version on June 27. Movies due for release in July include "Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction," "Stealth," and "A Knight’s Tale.".
The Samsung BD-P1000 (player) will retail for about $1000 and discs for about $20 each. The Toshiba HD player costs about half the price ($500).
Companies are working on dual-mode players, but these aren't expected until 2007 at the earliest.
The Samsung BD-P1000 (player) will retail for about $1000 and discs for about $20 each. The Toshiba HD player costs about half the price ($500).
Companies are working on dual-mode players, but these aren't expected until 2007 at the earliest.
BlueRay to appear next week
BlueRay players and discs are set to launch in the US next week, they'll also be some titles released along with the players. These are "50 First Dates," "The Fifth Element," and "The Terminator.". "Ultraviolet," will launch simultaneously with the DVD version on June 27. Movies due for release in July include "Basic Instinct 2: Risk Addiction," "Stealth," and "A Knight’s Tale.".
The Samsung BD-P1000 (player) will retail for about $1000 and discs for about $20 each. The Toshiba HD player costs about half the price ($500).
Companies are working on dual-mode players, but these aren't expected until 2007 at the earliest.
The Samsung BD-P1000 (player) will retail for about $1000 and discs for about $20 each. The Toshiba HD player costs about half the price ($500).
Companies are working on dual-mode players, but these aren't expected until 2007 at the earliest.
SonyEricsson introduce JP-7 for new mobile phones
JP-7 is the new Java implementation for new SonyEricsson phones. It's main feature is that it supports a multi-tasking JVM (Java Virtual Machine), which allows more than one Java program to run at once, they've also added various multimedia enhancements including 2D and 3D acceleration and direct camera access through the Java interface. They've directly supported Nokia's UI API too.
The list is: -
CLDC 1.1 (JSR 139)
MIDP 2.0 (JSR 118)
Wireless Messaging 1.0 and 2.0 APIs (JSR 120/205)
Mobile Media API (JSR 135)
Java Technology for the Wireless Industry (JSR 185)
Java API for Bluetooth™ (JSR 82) (optional)
PDA Optional Packages for the Java ME Platform (JSR 75)
Web Services API (JSR 172)
Advanced Multimedia Supplements (JSR 234) (camera capabilities)
Mascot Capsule Micro3D Version 3
Mobile 3D Graphics API for Java ME (JSR 184)
Nokia UI API 1.1
Phones currently supported are the K610, K790, K800, W710, W850 and Z710 which are meant to have the best games performance for any phones on the market.
The list is: -
CLDC 1.1 (JSR 139)
MIDP 2.0 (JSR 118)
Wireless Messaging 1.0 and 2.0 APIs (JSR 120/205)
Mobile Media API (JSR 135)
Java Technology for the Wireless Industry (JSR 185)
Java API for Bluetooth™ (JSR 82) (optional)
PDA Optional Packages for the Java ME Platform (JSR 75)
Web Services API (JSR 172)
Advanced Multimedia Supplements (JSR 234) (camera capabilities)
Mascot Capsule Micro3D Version 3
Mobile 3D Graphics API for Java ME (JSR 184)
Nokia UI API 1.1
Phones currently supported are the K610, K790, K800, W710, W850 and Z710 which are meant to have the best games performance for any phones on the market.
Siemens and Nokia join forces
Read the full article at Digital Lifestyles.
Nokia brings a mobile infrastructure division and Siemens their broadband and fixed network expertise. Nokia were in the fixed space but pulled out due to heavy competition and poor market share.
Now with the market moving towards next generation networks, triple and quadruple plays, they've decided they need to be able both parts of the picture. Their combined efforts may just be able to pull it off. Lucent and Alcatel also saw leverage of economies of scale and combined sales channels.
Part of their worries must come from the far east, especially China, where companies like Huawei are making huge inroads into the telecoms and ISP markets - directly competing with the incumbant vendors.
Siemens has already sold off its loss making mobile phone division to BenQ, which gives BenQ solid radio technology and a large retail channel as well as making them a larger player from the tiny player they were. They're probably hoping for the success of the SonyEricsson partnership which took Sony's style and combined it with Ericsson's radio knowledge.
If Nokia can leverage the synergies of the two companies they stand a chance of surviving this harsh market and may well be around in 5 years time.
Nokia brings a mobile infrastructure division and Siemens their broadband and fixed network expertise. Nokia were in the fixed space but pulled out due to heavy competition and poor market share.
Now with the market moving towards next generation networks, triple and quadruple plays, they've decided they need to be able both parts of the picture. Their combined efforts may just be able to pull it off. Lucent and Alcatel also saw leverage of economies of scale and combined sales channels.
Part of their worries must come from the far east, especially China, where companies like Huawei are making huge inroads into the telecoms and ISP markets - directly competing with the incumbant vendors.
Siemens has already sold off its loss making mobile phone division to BenQ, which gives BenQ solid radio technology and a large retail channel as well as making them a larger player from the tiny player they were. They're probably hoping for the success of the SonyEricsson partnership which took Sony's style and combined it with Ericsson's radio knowledge.
If Nokia can leverage the synergies of the two companies they stand a chance of surviving this harsh market and may well be around in 5 years time.
Robert Scoble leaves Microsoft
Robert Scoble, otherwise known as The Scobleizer, Microsoft Geek Blogger has left the company. Is it a coincendence that Mr Gates announced his departure a couple of days later?
Probably not.
Scoble will be missed in the blogging community as he was open in criticising the company he worked for, and being positive for the right things. He's now gone on to do his own video blogging and hopes to earn an income from this in his own right.
Whether he receives the same momentum now he's on his own is to be seen. The whole thing about his blog (and speaking at conferences) was his openness about Microsoft, now he's not an employee he's just a voice in the wilderness ranting about life in general (as are most bloggers, this included) and that may be his downfall.
Probably not.
Scoble will be missed in the blogging community as he was open in criticising the company he worked for, and being positive for the right things. He's now gone on to do his own video blogging and hopes to earn an income from this in his own right.
Whether he receives the same momentum now he's on his own is to be seen. The whole thing about his blog (and speaking at conferences) was his openness about Microsoft, now he's not an employee he's just a voice in the wilderness ranting about life in general (as are most bloggers, this included) and that may be his downfall.
Apple Releases Shake 4.1
Apple have released version 4.1 of Shake their compositing software allowing simple retouching or complicated multi-plane 3D effects.
This is the first Universal binary version of Shake (i.e. works on both the older PowerPC and new Intel Macs).
What will of most interest to users though is the price, which has been dropped from £1,999 (inc VAT) to £329 (inc VAT) which now puts it firmly in the hands of the mass of Final Cut Studio users out there. It supports HD, 2K and 4K image procesing.
Apple are promoting use on their new MacBook range to be used for continuity work, they are also Intel based (and the Mac Mini isn't really suited for heavy duty working).
This is the first Universal binary version of Shake (i.e. works on both the older PowerPC and new Intel Macs).
What will of most interest to users though is the price, which has been dropped from £1,999 (inc VAT) to £329 (inc VAT) which now puts it firmly in the hands of the mass of Final Cut Studio users out there. It supports HD, 2K and 4K image procesing.
Apple are promoting use on their new MacBook range to be used for continuity work, they are also Intel based (and the Mac Mini isn't really suited for heavy duty working).
2006/06/14
BBC, ITV, Channel 4 and Five trial terrestrial HD
Broadcasting from London's Crystal Palace transmitter on a test license low power transmission, 450 trialists are to receive HD transmissions.
The BBC and ITV content is identical to that already offered on cable and satellite, while Channel 4 will offer episodes of Lost and Film 4 content.
The set top boxes are being provided by Humax and Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB). Transmissions will use MPEG4 video coding, 8K carriers and 64QAM modulation at launch, though other parameters may be tested during the trial.
If all goes well, the trial may be extended to others areas and could lead the way to full HD terrestrial Freeview etc.
The BBC and ITV content is identical to that already offered on cable and satellite, while Channel 4 will offer episodes of Lost and Film 4 content.
The set top boxes are being provided by Humax and Advanced Digital Broadcast (ADB). Transmissions will use MPEG4 video coding, 8K carriers and 64QAM modulation at launch, though other parameters may be tested during the trial.
If all goes well, the trial may be extended to others areas and could lead the way to full HD terrestrial Freeview etc.
Epson develops high resolution e-paper
Seiko Epson have developed a high resolution electronic paper device that has a 7.1-inch screen (approximately the same size as an A6 piece of paper 105-x-148mm) which has a resolution of 1,536-x-2,048 pixels.
It uses technology from E-Ink, and uses flexible chips from Seiko Epson. This means the e-paper can be rolled and is quite thin so can replace paper for things like newspapers, but with content that updates, and even video.
Only a prototype has been announced, and no dates for real products.
It uses technology from E-Ink, and uses flexible chips from Seiko Epson. This means the e-paper can be rolled and is quite thin so can replace paper for things like newspapers, but with content that updates, and even video.
Only a prototype has been announced, and no dates for real products.
2006/06/10
Netgear announce new pre802.11n systems
Netgear on Wednesday announced their new pre802.11n system known as Rangemax Next (that's a play on the "N" if anyone didn't notice).
They've announced an ADSL2+ router DG834N which will retail for around £119, an Ethernet router (for cable) WNR834B for around the same price. Both have a wireless preN interface and a 4 port 10/100Mb/s Ethernet switch.
The WNR854T is also Ethernet/Wireless but supports 1000Mb/s switched ports.
Unfortunately the DG834N/WNR834B are based on the Broadcom chipset and the WN854T is based on the Marvel chipset and guess what, they don't interoperate (unless in standard 802.11g mode).
If the same type of equipment is used then speeds of up to 300Mb/s are quoted, though usable bandwidth will be more like 120Mb/s, which is good for video streaming, file sharing etc.
Be very wary of buying 802.11n equipment, the draft 1.0 specification (which all current systems are based upon) was rejected with thousands of objections (when pre802.11g systems were released, the final specification only had around 500 objections), so it's very likely there will still be major changes that cant be fixed in software and will need silicon changes.
Utilising an access point from one manufacturer and a wireless card from another wont get much better performance than existing systems.
Laptop vendors are unlikely to embed new wireless cards until the standard is stable, which is at least a year away.
They've announced an ADSL2+ router DG834N which will retail for around £119, an Ethernet router (for cable) WNR834B for around the same price. Both have a wireless preN interface and a 4 port 10/100Mb/s Ethernet switch.
The WNR854T is also Ethernet/Wireless but supports 1000Mb/s switched ports.
Unfortunately the DG834N/WNR834B are based on the Broadcom chipset and the WN854T is based on the Marvel chipset and guess what, they don't interoperate (unless in standard 802.11g mode).
If the same type of equipment is used then speeds of up to 300Mb/s are quoted, though usable bandwidth will be more like 120Mb/s, which is good for video streaming, file sharing etc.
Be very wary of buying 802.11n equipment, the draft 1.0 specification (which all current systems are based upon) was rejected with thousands of objections (when pre802.11g systems were released, the final specification only had around 500 objections), so it's very likely there will still be major changes that cant be fixed in software and will need silicon changes.
Utilising an access point from one manufacturer and a wireless card from another wont get much better performance than existing systems.
Laptop vendors are unlikely to embed new wireless cards until the standard is stable, which is at least a year away.
2006/06/09
Bulldog quits the retail market
Bulldog has decided to quit trying to win broadband customers, even after the recent advertising campaign trying to attract new ADSL2+ customers.
They are now going for a wholesale approach, though they will continue to look after the existing customer base. They will still sell to new customers through their website.
The UK is in dire need of a wholesale competitor to BT, though the LLU operators should really join forces to make this a reality. BT have 5,600 digital local exchanges, while the LLU operates are all attacking 1,000 and mainly the same ones.
Though moving to a wholesale model is potentially a good move, when BT launch their 21st Century Network which will start in Cardiff this year, the LLU operators could suddenly be left fighting a losing battle.
They are now going for a wholesale approach, though they will continue to look after the existing customer base. They will still sell to new customers through their website.
The UK is in dire need of a wholesale competitor to BT, though the LLU operators should really join forces to make this a reality. BT have 5,600 digital local exchanges, while the LLU operates are all attacking 1,000 and mainly the same ones.
Though moving to a wholesale model is potentially a good move, when BT launch their 21st Century Network which will start in Cardiff this year, the LLU operators could suddenly be left fighting a losing battle.
BenQ to launch BluRay burner by end of year
The burner will support BluRay, DVD and CD formats. No pricing has been announced or when the product will really be available, though BenQ does have prototypes.
It's a standard half height drive and will fit into standard drive bays.
It's a standard half height drive and will fit into standard drive bays.
Microsoft released Vista Beta
Microsoft have released Beta 2 of Windows Vista for 32 bit and 64 bit processors.
It's a long download, or the DVD can be ordered (for about £10 in VAT), this includes an upgrade to RC1 when released.
Whether the site is available for downloading seems to be a bit of a random event as it gets very busy at which point MS stop new downloads for a while.
There are mixed reports as to the readyness of both Vista and Office 2007.
It's a long download, or the DVD can be ordered (for about £10 in VAT), this includes an upgrade to RC1 when released.
Whether the site is available for downloading seems to be a bit of a random event as it gets very busy at which point MS stop new downloads for a while.
There are mixed reports as to the readyness of both Vista and Office 2007.
AMD launches 4 core system
AMD launched a high end system for gamers with 4 CPU cores (2 linked dual core chips).
More and more games are being written to support multiple threads which can run on multiple cores.
AMD also launched their high-end dual core CPU, the AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 which has 2 cores running a 2.8GHz. However high-end gaming costs as the chip alone will set someone back $1,031 (in 1,000 quantities, so street pricing will be significantly higher).
The fight between Intel and AMD continues and AMD are not backing down.
More and more games are being written to support multiple threads which can run on multiple cores.
AMD also launched their high-end dual core CPU, the AMD Athlon 64 FX-62 which has 2 cores running a 2.8GHz. However high-end gaming costs as the chip alone will set someone back $1,031 (in 1,000 quantities, so street pricing will be significantly higher).
The fight between Intel and AMD continues and AMD are not backing down.
Sony to introduces a Digital SLR
Sony is producing a DSLR utising assets it acquired from Konica Minolta who pulled out of the camera market due to competition.
The range will be known as the Alpha, and use the Konica Minolta lens mounting (known as Dynax in Europe and Maxxum in North America). There's already a reasonably large number of lenses in the range already and Sony are bound to increase the range.
Sony's camera uses a 10.2-megapixel and is known as the alpha DSLR-A100. It can take 750 pictures on a full charge and uses either Compact Flash or Sony's Memory Stick formats (Pro or Duo with an adapter).
THe camera will be available in the US in July for around $900 for just the body, and $1000 as a kit with a 18-70mm zoom lens the DSLR-A100K.
Other manufacturers have been in this market for considerable time, and Sony may have a hard time persuading customers to move as Canon and Nikon seem to have cornered the professional and semi-professional markets.
The range will be known as the Alpha, and use the Konica Minolta lens mounting (known as Dynax in Europe and Maxxum in North America). There's already a reasonably large number of lenses in the range already and Sony are bound to increase the range.
Sony's camera uses a 10.2-megapixel and is known as the alpha DSLR-A100. It can take 750 pictures on a full charge and uses either Compact Flash or Sony's Memory Stick formats (Pro or Duo with an adapter).
THe camera will be available in the US in July for around $900 for just the body, and $1000 as a kit with a 18-70mm zoom lens the DSLR-A100K.
Other manufacturers have been in this market for considerable time, and Sony may have a hard time persuading customers to move as Canon and Nikon seem to have cornered the professional and semi-professional markets.
BBC to netcast world cup
The BBC is going to broadcast world cup matches to broadband users, however only if they're in the UK.
Companies and ISPs are bound to be worrying about the strain that's going to put on their networks if lots of employees and customers respectively start grabbing high bandwidth streams. Some companies are very likely to start filtering the streams so employees cant access them.
There's also a licensing issue, as anyone receiving a stream must be in posession of a valid TV license. Currently they monitor the use of reception by tracking sales of televisions and computer peripherals that have the ability to decode a TV signal. How the TV Licensing Authority will track pure internet usage is a guess, and it's likely to be a threat they cant enforce.
Companies and ISPs are bound to be worrying about the strain that's going to put on their networks if lots of employees and customers respectively start grabbing high bandwidth streams. Some companies are very likely to start filtering the streams so employees cant access them.
There's also a licensing issue, as anyone receiving a stream must be in posession of a valid TV license. Currently they monitor the use of reception by tracking sales of televisions and computer peripherals that have the ability to decode a TV signal. How the TV Licensing Authority will track pure internet usage is a guess, and it's likely to be a threat they cant enforce.
Office 2007 not to have PDF support
With the threat of legal action, Microsoft has pulled support for PDS and XPS files from Office 2007.
There would have been a "Save As" PDF option, but Adobe want that functionality as a seperate paid for package.
Microsoft has said it had tried to work out an agreement with Adobe, but they had failed.
Since there are publically available free packages that offer this functionality, it seems a shame that it cant be incorporated directly into Office.
There would have been a "Save As" PDF option, but Adobe want that functionality as a seperate paid for package.
Microsoft has said it had tried to work out an agreement with Adobe, but they had failed.
Since there are publically available free packages that offer this functionality, it seems a shame that it cant be incorporated directly into Office.
Microsoft releases Apple Keyboard and Mouse
Microsoft have released a keyboard for Apple Macs with a specific Mac layout. They've also released a high-definition laser mouse.
People wonder at Microsoft making Mac products, which is odd since Microsoft make a lot of Mac software, including Office (which is generally better on Macs than Windows systems). The Mac market is big for them and generate a lot of revenue.
Microsoft also invested $250m into Apple a while back (in Apple's dark days) to stop them going under so Microsoft wouldn't be considered a monopoly in the desktop OS arena.
People wonder at Microsoft making Mac products, which is odd since Microsoft make a lot of Mac software, including Office (which is generally better on Macs than Windows systems). The Mac market is big for them and generate a lot of revenue.
Microsoft also invested $250m into Apple a while back (in Apple's dark days) to stop them going under so Microsoft wouldn't be considered a monopoly in the desktop OS arena.
GoLive and Freehand to die?
Though Adobe has denied the rumours, several sites have said that Adobe's GoLive web development package and Macromedia's Freehand (illustration) package are to be discontinued.
This makes sense as Dreamweaver is much more popular in the web arena, and Adobe's own Illustrator product dominates that market.
By putting all Adobe's eggs in the one basket, Dreamweaver and Illustrator could get the resources they need to ensure there is no competition.
This makes sense as Dreamweaver is much more popular in the web arena, and Adobe's own Illustrator product dominates that market.
By putting all Adobe's eggs in the one basket, Dreamweaver and Illustrator could get the resources they need to ensure there is no competition.
2006/05/22
Firmtek ships SATA PC Card
The card and an enclosure for two SATA drives costs $279.95 but they will be available seperately at a later date.
This gives a laptop the ability to use SATA disks for storage.
This gives a laptop the ability to use SATA disks for storage.
New .tel domain approved by ICANN
Telnic has been awarded the contract to run the .tel domain, which is being run out of London.
Visit www.telname.com to monitor the status and when registratons will become available.
Visit www.telname.com to monitor the status and when registratons will become available.
Microsoft Offer Pro-Design Web tool
Microsoft is trying to break into the domination of Macromedia's (now Adobe's) Dreamweaver by launching a professional web publishing tool as part of their Expression (known as Web Designer).
This has been built form the ground-up and will replace Frontpage.
MS has also released updates to Interactive Designer, qhich is similar to Flash, and Expression Graphic Designer, which is like a combined Photoshop and Illustrator.
This has been built form the ground-up and will replace Frontpage.
MS has also released updates to Interactive Designer, qhich is similar to Flash, and Expression Graphic Designer, which is like a combined Photoshop and Illustrator.
MS Media Player 11
Microsoft has released version 11 of it's Media Player (in beta).
This is more in-line with Apple's iTunes. At the same time MTV are launching their Urge music download service which will have 2 million tracks available.
MS have the marketing clout to make a dent in Apple's domminance, assuming the beta works.
MS have also made public their beta for the new Live Messenger (it was until recently a restricted beta) which supports VoIP and VoIP/PSTN integration.
This is more in-line with Apple's iTunes. At the same time MTV are launching their Urge music download service which will have 2 million tracks available.
MS have the marketing clout to make a dent in Apple's domminance, assuming the beta works.
MS have also made public their beta for the new Live Messenger (it was until recently a restricted beta) which supports VoIP and VoIP/PSTN integration.
ADM launches new mobile processors
AMD has launched a new range of processors for mobile. based on the Turion with two cores (X2). They come in a range of speeds and will work with a range of graphics and other chips (compared to Intel's Centrino platform - where Intel force builders to use only Centrino parts).
Intel are launching new mobile chips in August Core 2 Duo which will be 64bit, but AMD's chips are 64bit now.
This can only be good for consumers as the battle between Intel and AMD will drive prices down.
Intel are launching new mobile chips in August Core 2 Duo which will be 64bit, but AMD's chips are 64bit now.
This can only be good for consumers as the battle between Intel and AMD will drive prices down.
Open Source Non-Linear Editing
Jahshaka is a new open source NLE package that runs on MacOS X (both Intel and PowerPC) that uses OpenGL and OpenML for rendering. It's also available on Windows and Linux platforms.
It uses the Trolltech cross platform libraries so the same interface works across all the supported platforms.
If the project takes off it could be a threat to traditional packages like Apple's Final Cut (and Express) and Adobe's Premiere range.
It uses the Trolltech cross platform libraries so the same interface works across all the supported platforms.
If the project takes off it could be a threat to traditional packages like Apple's Final Cut (and Express) and Adobe's Premiere range.
2006/05/18
Apple release new MacBook
Apple have released a new MacBook based on the Intel Core Duo processor. It's somewhere between the old iBook and Powerbook being cased in shiny white or black polycarbonate plastic.
It's got a 13 inch widescreen display and is under an inch thick, so it should be perfect for playing DVD's on long journeys instead of doing some work.
The white model starts with a 1.8GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM (expandable up to 2GB) and a 60GB disk. It has USB 2 and Firewire 400 and Gigabit Ethernet. Apple have dropped the internal modem (at last) and opted for that as an extra. 802.11g and Bluetooth (EDR) as also included.
There is a 2GHz CPU option and up to a 120GB disk.
The black model comes with the 2.0GHz CPU and a 80GB disk, though a bloack model is still more expensive than an equivalently specified white version, so black plastic comes at a price.
It's a shame there's isn't a 13" MacBook Pro.
It's got a 13 inch widescreen display and is under an inch thick, so it should be perfect for playing DVD's on long journeys instead of doing some work.
The white model starts with a 1.8GHz CPU and 512MB of RAM (expandable up to 2GB) and a 60GB disk. It has USB 2 and Firewire 400 and Gigabit Ethernet. Apple have dropped the internal modem (at last) and opted for that as an extra. 802.11g and Bluetooth (EDR) as also included.
There is a 2GHz CPU option and up to a 120GB disk.
The black model comes with the 2.0GHz CPU and a 80GB disk, though a bloack model is still more expensive than an equivalently specified white version, so black plastic comes at a price.
It's a shame there's isn't a 13" MacBook Pro.
2006/05/15
T-Mobile to filter VoIP
T-Mobile have been offering a "web and walk" service which includes unlimited data for a fixed monthly fee. They've now realised people can use that for VoIP too which means they lose revenues on voice calls (which is really how mobile networks make money).
So they've now decided to block VoIP access so people will have to use the phones to make voice calls.
It won't take long for someone to get round it, but it's probably the start of a trend with more companies blocking access to services they don't like.
So they've now decided to block VoIP access so people will have to use the phones to make voice calls.
It won't take long for someone to get round it, but it's probably the start of a trend with more companies blocking access to services they don't like.
Adobe announces an AJAX toolkit
Currently available through the Adobe Labs site and called Spry, they've released a toolkit to devleop AJAX (Asynchronous Java and XML) sites.
It's currently only a framework, but it's likely to develop into a fully featured development program.
There are others out the like Zimbra (which is also used in the Zimbra Collaboration Suite server package), but Adobe felt it was too complicated and made their own.
Everyone is developing AJAX sites, so if Adobe can make it really easy, their probably on to a winner.
It's currently only a framework, but it's likely to develop into a fully featured development program.
There are others out the like Zimbra (which is also used in the Zimbra Collaboration Suite server package), but Adobe felt it was too complicated and made their own.
Everyone is developing AJAX sites, so if Adobe can make it really easy, their probably on to a winner.
SGI files for bankruptcy protection
SGI in the US has filed for protection. Currently other international SGI units are not affected.
SGI used to be the mainstay of the film industry, but have been overtaken by cheaper systems running Windows/Linux/MacOS X. Linux on PC hardware has thought to have been a major part of this, especially as software vendors have ported high-end video applications to the platform (like Discreet's Inferno).
SGI they'll be clear in 6 months, time will tell.
SGI used to be the mainstay of the film industry, but have been overtaken by cheaper systems running Windows/Linux/MacOS X. Linux on PC hardware has thought to have been a major part of this, especially as software vendors have ported high-end video applications to the platform (like Discreet's Inferno).
SGI they'll be clear in 6 months, time will tell.
Apple and Softbank to develop iPod phone
Though Apple and others declined to comment, it looks like Apple and Softbank have come to an agreement to develop an iPod Phone that can download tracks from the iTunes music store.
Rumours have circulated for a while about an iPod Phone, with no comments coming from Apple.
Though many users like having seperate devices and phone and a music player does make sense. SonyEricsson have been trying with their Walkman phones - but an iPod phone could kil the competition in one move. iTunes still dominates the legal download space.
Rumours have circulated for a while about an iPod Phone, with no comments coming from Apple.
Though many users like having seperate devices and phone and a music player does make sense. SonyEricsson have been trying with their Walkman phones - but an iPod phone could kil the competition in one move. iTunes still dominates the legal download space.
PS3 launch data and pricing announced
The Sony Playstation 3 will go on sale in Europe on November 17th for 600 Euros. This is the high-end unit which includes a 60GB hard-disk drive, a memory card reader, a Wi-Fi adaptor and a digital high-definition video connector.
A lower price version will cost $499 with a 20GB drive and none of the other features. Both versions will have USB, a Gigabit Ethernet adaptor and Bluetooth.
The lower end version does not include an HDMI connector which means it may be useless for playing HD Blu-Ray content which can be encrypted/encoded to only use that iterface, therefore only allowing sandard definition.
Estimates are that the Cell processor and Blu-Ray drive are the highest costs of the console with the whole thing adding up to about $900 worth of components, so Sony need to make money on games to cover the loss.
The PS3 is considerably more expensive than both the Xbox 360 and Nintendo revolution.
It will take a while for games designers to take advantage of the Cell's multiprocessing capabilties (which are difficult to program for) - though new tools are being developed for it, so initially games are unlikely to be spectacular which may be their downfall.
A lower price version will cost $499 with a 20GB drive and none of the other features. Both versions will have USB, a Gigabit Ethernet adaptor and Bluetooth.
The lower end version does not include an HDMI connector which means it may be useless for playing HD Blu-Ray content which can be encrypted/encoded to only use that iterface, therefore only allowing sandard definition.
Estimates are that the Cell processor and Blu-Ray drive are the highest costs of the console with the whole thing adding up to about $900 worth of components, so Sony need to make money on games to cover the loss.
The PS3 is considerably more expensive than both the Xbox 360 and Nintendo revolution.
It will take a while for games designers to take advantage of the Cell's multiprocessing capabilties (which are difficult to program for) - though new tools are being developed for it, so initially games are unlikely to be spectacular which may be their downfall.
BBC starts a trial of HD broadcasts
The BBC will start broadcasting HD content this week, Initially only available to satellite viewers, it's likely it will be extended to NTL Telewest at some point soon, but definately in time for the World Cup and Wimbledon which will be simulcast in HD.
From July various drama, documentary, events and music will be broadcast in HD for a few hours each day.
It seems HD is really starting to become available.
From July various drama, documentary, events and music will be broadcast in HD for a few hours each day.
It seems HD is really starting to become available.
Dreamweaver updated
Adobe has updated Dreamweaver to version 8.0.2. This fixes the embedded content problem whereby users have to click on content such as Flash.
It also fixes some server side code which minimise the risk of databae SQL injection.
Of course real programmers don't use wimpy tools like Dreamweaver and write code themselves.
It also fixes some server side code which minimise the risk of databae SQL injection.
Of course real programmers don't use wimpy tools like Dreamweaver and write code themselves.
Microsoft to support HD-DVD, but only for movies
Microsoft is to offer an add-on the the Xbox 360 to support HD-DVD movies, but games will still be produced on dual layer DVD (DVD-DL). The 8.5GB DVD-DL format stores enough information for games in 720p (progressive) which is the highest resolution that the Xbox currently supports for games and the graphics subsystem is optimed for that.
In future that may change as Microsoft say the system is designed to be future-proof but no plans at the moment.
In future that may change as Microsoft say the system is designed to be future-proof but no plans at the moment.
2006/05/08
BT kills and fixes line fault
Last Friday I noticed my ADSL wasn't working - this was about 6pm, but thought nothing of it as probably a line drop of something, when I got back later that evening the line was still down. It was late so left it until morning.
The line was still down so I contacted my ISP who said they could see nothing wrong, so I should check the line and report a fault to BT if there was an error. That's when the search started for an analogue phone to plug in. Luckily there was a BT Openreach van parked opposite, and it's owner was just going off to work so I begged the use of his analogue handset and he nicely obliged.
I plugged it in and the line was dead like the dodo. No dial-tone. I returned the handset and he commented "oh BT have been doing lots of exchange upgrades in the area and as these were converted to DSL early, they're a mess and a lot of stuff is undocumented so when they change things, it doesn't always go well"
I phone'd up BT faults and got their automated system which after several menus eventually told me there was a fault and would I like alerts (which came to my mobile phone). This was about 9.30am.
At 11.15am a BT Engineer appeared with reference to the fault, did a few tests. I enquired why someone responded so quickly and was told "there are a lot of BT Engineers in the area, and we're blitzing faults" and then disappeared saying "they need to do some tests in the exchange I'll be back in a hour or so".
I had to do some errands and disappeared for a while.
About 12.45 the engineer appeared again, tested the line and all was well.
3 hours (near enough) fix for a line fault on a Saturday - very impressive for BT. I was expecting to wait to at least Monday to have someone respond, let alone have it fixed.
I'd guess either they knew they'd broken things or it was really just a lucky break. Likely to be either 21CN or DSLMax uogrades I'd guess.
The line was still down so I contacted my ISP who said they could see nothing wrong, so I should check the line and report a fault to BT if there was an error. That's when the search started for an analogue phone to plug in. Luckily there was a BT Openreach van parked opposite, and it's owner was just going off to work so I begged the use of his analogue handset and he nicely obliged.
I plugged it in and the line was dead like the dodo. No dial-tone. I returned the handset and he commented "oh BT have been doing lots of exchange upgrades in the area and as these were converted to DSL early, they're a mess and a lot of stuff is undocumented so when they change things, it doesn't always go well"
I phone'd up BT faults and got their automated system which after several menus eventually told me there was a fault and would I like alerts (which came to my mobile phone). This was about 9.30am.
At 11.15am a BT Engineer appeared with reference to the fault, did a few tests. I enquired why someone responded so quickly and was told "there are a lot of BT Engineers in the area, and we're blitzing faults" and then disappeared saying "they need to do some tests in the exchange I'll be back in a hour or so".
I had to do some errands and disappeared for a while.
About 12.45 the engineer appeared again, tested the line and all was well.
3 hours (near enough) fix for a line fault on a Saturday - very impressive for BT. I was expecting to wait to at least Monday to have someone respond, let alone have it fixed.
I'd guess either they knew they'd broken things or it was really just a lucky break. Likely to be either 21CN or DSLMax uogrades I'd guess.
2006/05/04
Netscreen 5GT ADSL
It's taken a while (almost a year and a half), but with the help of a senior Netscreen person the 5GT is now working. It was quite painless once the configuration was sorted, and performance seems considerably better than the old D-Link (well more consistent).
The filtering seems relatively easy to use and the WiFi side also is working (though currently slightly fudged as DHCP relaying didn''t seem to quite work.
It's a very nice little router/firewall.
The filtering seems relatively easy to use and the WiFi side also is working (though currently slightly fudged as DHCP relaying didn''t seem to quite work.
It's a very nice little router/firewall.
Regulation of VoIP Services
Ofcom link/ have extended the deadline for the consultation on VoIP regulation in the UK to the 10th of May.
This is an important consultation and though geared towards anyone providing VoIP services, it also covers NGNs (Next Generation Networks i.e. IP based telecoms networks).
This is an important consultation and though geared towards anyone providing VoIP services, it also covers NGNs (Next Generation Networks i.e. IP based telecoms networks).
Ofcom awards 12 licences following spectrum auction
Ofcom has announced the license winners (and how much they pay) for the GSM Gaurd band spectrum. This allows licensees to offer low power GSM services (or other technology). If GSM is chosen there are 15 channels available each carrying 8 voice channels - so there's a reasonable ammount of flexibility in frequency plans and also if multiple licensees want to operate in the same area.
The winners are: -
British Telecommunications PLC £275,112
Cable & Wireless UK ( England) £51,002
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd £1,513,218
Cyberpress Ltd £151,999
FMS Solutions Ltd £113,000
Mapesbury Communications Ltd £76,660
O2 (UK) Ltd £209,888
Opal Telecom Ltd £155,555
PLDT (UK) Ltd £88,889
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd £101,011
Spring Mobil AB £50,110
Teleware PLC £1,001,880
The price varies from £50,002 to over £1.5m and as licensees pay what they bid, some must be feeling sick right now - while others who bid just above the Ofcom minimum must be giggling to themselves.
There may well now be a flurry of license trading, but some novel new GSM type services could be offered for in-building/in-area use.
The winners are: -
British Telecommunications PLC £275,112
Cable & Wireless UK ( England) £51,002
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd £1,513,218
Cyberpress Ltd £151,999
FMS Solutions Ltd £113,000
Mapesbury Communications Ltd £76,660
O2 (UK) Ltd £209,888
Opal Telecom Ltd £155,555
PLDT (UK) Ltd £88,889
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd £101,011
Spring Mobil AB £50,110
Teleware PLC £1,001,880
The price varies from £50,002 to over £1.5m and as licensees pay what they bid, some must be feeling sick right now - while others who bid just above the Ofcom minimum must be giggling to themselves.
There may well now be a flurry of license trading, but some novel new GSM type services could be offered for in-building/in-area use.
Porn may decide Blu-ray, HD-DVD battle
The adult entertainment industry might well decide the winner of the Blu-Ray/HSDVD battle, as they seem to be adopting the format.
The porn industry pretty well brought the DVD format into being in the first place (that's what multi-angle is for), so they are probably a good indicator.
The porn industry pretty well brought the DVD format into being in the first place (that's what multi-angle is for), so they are probably a good indicator.
2006/04/28
Digit news - NAB 2006: Apple Shake update to have Intel support
Digit news - NAB 2006: Apple Shake update to have Intel support
Apple are going to ship version 4.1 of Shake (their high end digital compositor) in the next few weeks. The big news it's a Universal binary so will work on both PowerPC and Intel based Macs.
The timing for other applications hasn't been announced, though Adobe are waiting until next year to release Photoshop in Universal binary format.
Apple are going to ship version 4.1 of Shake (their high end digital compositor) in the next few weeks. The big news it's a Universal binary so will work on both PowerPC and Intel based Macs.
The timing for other applications hasn't been announced, though Adobe are waiting until next year to release Photoshop in Universal binary format.
Digit news - PSP firmware update adds Flash, podcasts
Digit news - PSP firmware update adds Flash, podcasts
The new firmware will support Podcasts and Macromedia Flash 6 (well a subset of it). Future versions will support video podcasts and new video profiles (so UMD video can be stored on Memory Stick). The final version will allow running games from memory stick and VoIP.
The update will be available for Japanese units first, and either at the same time or shortly after for worldwide units. This will bring the firmware to v2.70
The new firmware will support Podcasts and Macromedia Flash 6 (well a subset of it). Future versions will support video podcasts and new video profiles (so UMD video can be stored on Memory Stick). The final version will allow running games from memory stick and VoIP.
The update will be available for Japanese units first, and either at the same time or shortly after for worldwide units. This will bring the firmware to v2.70
Digit news - Seagate goes to 750GB with new drive
Digit news - Seagate goes to 750GB with new drive
Seagate have just released the newest Barracuda range (7200/10 which come in capacities ranging from 200GB to 750GB using perpendicular recording. They support both Ultra ATA/100 and SATA interfaces with either 8MB or 16MB of data cache buffer.
No pricing has been made available yet, but the higher capacilty drives (if current drives are used as a basis) will command a premium.
This means "consumer" RAID NAS (network attached storage) devices can hit 3TB (with 2.25TB available for use such that a drive can fail completely before the RAID stops working) as most use 4 internal disks.
Seagate have just released the newest Barracuda range (7200/10 which come in capacities ranging from 200GB to 750GB using perpendicular recording. They support both Ultra ATA/100 and SATA interfaces with either 8MB or 16MB of data cache buffer.
No pricing has been made available yet, but the higher capacilty drives (if current drives are used as a basis) will command a premium.
This means "consumer" RAID NAS (network attached storage) devices can hit 3TB (with 2.25TB available for use such that a drive can fail completely before the RAID stops working) as most use 4 internal disks.
2006/04/27
2006/04/26
Digit news - AJAX in the spotlight
Digit news - AJAX in the spotlight
You know when a technology is making an impact when there's a conference dedicated to it. The Real-World AJAX Seminar is being held in San Jose, California, next week. Meanwhile, a two-day AJAX technical conference, AjaxWorld Conference & Expo, is planned for this October in Santa Clara, California.
AJAX is the front-end technology for sites like Google Maps/Calendar/etc and Flickr. It means Asynchronous Javascript and XML.
What it does it move the rendering of data to the client, which is done in the browser using Javascript and HTML. The client side then processes the XML from the server and can then send data back and request more. This means the server is just transferring data, which is what web servers are good for. As soon as they have to process/render information scalability becomes an issue. Transferring data can also be stateless so delivered from a number of systems in parallel where it doesn't matter what back-end system is connected to.
You know when a technology is making an impact when there's a conference dedicated to it. The Real-World AJAX Seminar is being held in San Jose, California, next week. Meanwhile, a two-day AJAX technical conference, AjaxWorld Conference & Expo, is planned for this October in Santa Clara, California.
AJAX is the front-end technology for sites like Google Maps/Calendar/etc and Flickr. It means Asynchronous Javascript and XML.
What it does it move the rendering of data to the client, which is done in the browser using Javascript and HTML. The client side then processes the XML from the server and can then send data back and request more. This means the server is just transferring data, which is what web servers are good for. As soon as they have to process/render information scalability becomes an issue. Transferring data can also be stateless so delivered from a number of systems in parallel where it doesn't matter what back-end system is connected to.
Digit news - Panasonic to launch Blu-ray Disc drive in June
Digit news - Panasonic to launch Blu-ray Disc drive in June
The BluRay drive suitable for use in PC's will be launched in Japan in June for about $850. It has an ATAPI interface and supports both 25GB and 50GB disks and BD-RE (rewritable) disks.
Users will need a pretty hefty CPU to use them to watch BluRay movies a 3GHz P4 for MPEG2 movies and a Pentium D for MPEG4AV movies.
Data backup applications will run on modest systems.
The BluRay drive suitable for use in PC's will be launched in Japan in June for about $850. It has an ATAPI interface and supports both 25GB and 50GB disks and BD-RE (rewritable) disks.
Users will need a pretty hefty CPU to use them to watch BluRay movies a 3GHz P4 for MPEG2 movies and a Pentium D for MPEG4AV movies.
Data backup applications will run on modest systems.
Digit news - Photoshop coming to Intel Macs next year
Digit news - Photoshop coming to Intel Macs next year
A Universal binary version of Photoshop will be made available in the 2nd half of next year. That's a long time to wait so there's still going to be a market for high end G5 based Power Macs for some time (which are 64bit compared to the Intel Macs which are still 32 bit).
It also means there's a market for booting Windows XP on Intel Macs so users can run Adobe applications natively without going through Apple's Rosetta translation service.
A big market for Macs is Adobe users, so maybe Apple will launch a Power Mac based on Intel 64bit CPU's prior to the Adobe ports - which will be a boost for both companies.
A Universal binary version of Photoshop will be made available in the 2nd half of next year. That's a long time to wait so there's still going to be a market for high end G5 based Power Macs for some time (which are 64bit compared to the Intel Macs which are still 32 bit).
It also means there's a market for booting Windows XP on Intel Macs so users can run Adobe applications natively without going through Apple's Rosetta translation service.
A big market for Macs is Adobe users, so maybe Apple will launch a Power Mac based on Intel 64bit CPU's prior to the Adobe ports - which will be a boost for both companies.
Digit news - NVidia upgrades 3D workstation graphics line
Digit news - NVidia upgrades 3D workstation graphics line
NVidia is upping the ante again with a new line of workstation 3D graphics chips.
The FX 5500 boasts 1GB of dedicated graphics RAM. The cards can be used for a variety of applications including 3D work and video rendering.
Cards are expected from vendors soon.
NVidia is upping the ante again with a new line of workstation 3D graphics chips.
The FX 5500 boasts 1GB of dedicated graphics RAM. The cards can be used for a variety of applications including 3D work and video rendering.
Cards are expected from vendors soon.
Digit news - Apple adds 17-inch MacBook Pro
Digit news - Apple adds 17-inch MacBook Pro
Apple has added a 17" MacBook Pro to its Intel line-up. It features a 2.16GHz Duo processor with 1GB of RAM (upgradable to 2GB), a 120GB hard disk and Superdrive (DVD +/- RW) and a n ATI Mobility Radeon which is PCI-Express based.
There's a DVI out for external displays which allow use of the Apple's 30" cinema display (using a Dual-link) as well as USB 2.0, Firewire 800, EDR Bluetoothand, Gig Ethernet and the iSight built-in camera.
Now they just need the 12" to complete the range.
Apple has added a 17" MacBook Pro to its Intel line-up. It features a 2.16GHz Duo processor with 1GB of RAM (upgradable to 2GB), a 120GB hard disk and Superdrive (DVD +/- RW) and a n ATI Mobility Radeon which is PCI-Express based.
There's a DVI out for external displays which allow use of the Apple's 30" cinema display (using a Dual-link) as well as USB 2.0, Firewire 800, EDR Bluetoothand, Gig Ethernet and the iSight built-in camera.
Now they just need the 12" to complete the range.
Ofcom Website | Notices to applicants and bidders
Ofcom Website | Notices to applicants and bidders:
Ofcom has provisionally awarded wireless telegraphy licences for use of the frequencies 1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1880MHz to the companies listed below, subject to full licence fees being received by Ofcom by 17:30 on Friday 28 April 2006.
Bidders
1 British Telecommunications PLC
2 Cable & Wireless UK ( England )
3 COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
4 Cyberpress Ltd
5 FMS Solutions Ltd
6 Mapesbury Communications Ltd
7 O2 ( UK ) Ltd
8 Opal Telecom Ltd
9 PLDT ( UK ) Ltd
10 Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
11 Spring Mobil AB
12 Teleware PLC
Though not quite definitive as licensees could still pull out (losing their deposit) or not make final payments the list is pretty much who'll get licenses now.
Various telcos (BT, C&W, Colt and more than likely Carphone Warehouse) have said they'll use the license to offer in-office GSM services to companies. BT will use it in a similar way to their Fusion service.
This is the first of several spectrum auctions that Ofcom is intending to offer.
Ofcom has provisionally awarded wireless telegraphy licences for use of the frequencies 1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1880MHz to the companies listed below, subject to full licence fees being received by Ofcom by 17:30 on Friday 28 April 2006.
Bidders
1 British Telecommunications PLC
2 Cable & Wireless UK ( England )
3 COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
4 Cyberpress Ltd
5 FMS Solutions Ltd
6 Mapesbury Communications Ltd
7 O2 ( UK ) Ltd
8 Opal Telecom Ltd
9 PLDT ( UK ) Ltd
10 Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
11 Spring Mobil AB
12 Teleware PLC
Though not quite definitive as licensees could still pull out (losing their deposit) or not make final payments the list is pretty much who'll get licenses now.
Various telcos (BT, C&W, Colt and more than likely Carphone Warehouse) have said they'll use the license to offer in-office GSM services to companies. BT will use it in a similar way to their Fusion service.
This is the first of several spectrum auctions that Ofcom is intending to offer.
2006/04/21
Microsoft drums up Sender ID support to combat spam - IT Week
Microsoft drums up Sender ID support to combat spam - IT Week
Sender ID is no doubt a good idea, unfortunately it does has drawbacks, mainly for Emails that are forwarded i.e. a user legitimately say receives mail through a domain, but uses another server to send the Email.
It is possible to set-up records for that scenario, but it rather defeats the security of Sender ID.
MarkMonitor report there are now more than two million .com and .net domains that publish their Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records for Sender ID verification, up from 750,000 in March 2005. Unfortunately most of the domains publishing Sender ID records are spammers.
Sender ID is no doubt a good idea, unfortunately it does has drawbacks, mainly for Emails that are forwarded i.e. a user legitimately say receives mail through a domain, but uses another server to send the Email.
It is possible to set-up records for that scenario, but it rather defeats the security of Sender ID.
MarkMonitor report there are now more than two million .com and .net domains that publish their Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records for Sender ID verification, up from 750,000 in March 2005. Unfortunately most of the domains publishing Sender ID records are spammers.
2006/04/20
Visit TalkTalk - Join Talk3 International Calling Plan To Get Free Broadband
Visit TalkTalk - Join Talk3 International Calling Plan To Get Free Broadband
Carphone Warehouse have announced "free" broadband to their TalkTalk customers. Of course it isn't free, it's just the costs are bundled in with other services like line rental and talk plans etc and of course an 18 month minimum contract.
That doesn't mean it's not a good deal.
However it is likely to start the next phase of a broadband price war, others will follow suit, NTL being a likely contender now they've acquired Virgin Mobile and can utilise the brand offering Voice, Internet, video and mobile packages (quadruple play). Currently at least TalkTalk is only offering a double play, though they do have mobile offerings.
Since Carphone Warehouse has only recently started unbundling exchanges (and they're spending £110m on it this year), they'll be signing-up customers on non TalkTalk converted exchanges which means they must be buying service off BT or another LLU operator. This will be a costly exercise as it will be losing them money, however as a land grab exercise it's likely to be very successful.
Currently TalkTalk have the 3rd largest number of residential customers (millions, NTL with 2.4m+ and the rest BT), but they only have around 75,000 broadband customers.
Carphone Warehouse are definately a telecoms player to watch.
Carphone Warehouse have announced "free" broadband to their TalkTalk customers. Of course it isn't free, it's just the costs are bundled in with other services like line rental and talk plans etc and of course an 18 month minimum contract.
That doesn't mean it's not a good deal.
However it is likely to start the next phase of a broadband price war, others will follow suit, NTL being a likely contender now they've acquired Virgin Mobile and can utilise the brand offering Voice, Internet, video and mobile packages (quadruple play). Currently at least TalkTalk is only offering a double play, though they do have mobile offerings.
Since Carphone Warehouse has only recently started unbundling exchanges (and they're spending £110m on it this year), they'll be signing-up customers on non TalkTalk converted exchanges which means they must be buying service off BT or another LLU operator. This will be a costly exercise as it will be losing them money, however as a land grab exercise it's likely to be very successful.
Currently TalkTalk have the 3rd largest number of residential customers (millions, NTL with 2.4m+ and the rest BT), but they only have around 75,000 broadband customers.
Carphone Warehouse are definately a telecoms player to watch.
Digit news - Seagate announces 15,000rpm hard disk
Digit news - Seagate announces 15,000rpm hard disk
15K rpm disks have been around for a while, Seagate offers them in the Cheetah range, however these are the first to support over 100MB/s.
They utilise perpendicular recording technology which has been around in 2.5" drives, but new for 3.5" drives. Each platter can hold 73GB and a drive can have up to 4 platters. They should be available in June, but no pricing is available as yet.
15K rpm disks have been around for a while, Seagate offers them in the Cheetah range, however these are the first to support over 100MB/s.
They utilise perpendicular recording technology which has been around in 2.5" drives, but new for 3.5" drives. Each platter can hold 73GB and a drive can have up to 4 platters. They should be available in June, but no pricing is available as yet.
Digit news - Apple reports $410 million profit
Digit news - Apple reports $410 million profit
Apple made a profit of $410m on revenue of $4.36bn last quarter which was the 2nd highest ever of Apple. It included the sale of just over 1.1m Macs and 8.5m iPods.
Though it will probably go to pay off their bills to Apple Corp, maybe ...
Apple made a profit of $410m on revenue of $4.36bn last quarter which was the 2nd highest ever of Apple. It included the sale of just over 1.1m Macs and 8.5m iPods.
Though it will probably go to pay off their bills to Apple Corp, maybe ...
2006/04/19
Ofcom Website | Ofcom confirms changes to 0870 calls
Ofcom Website | Ofcom confirms changes to 0870 calls
Ofcom is making changes to various number ranges in-line with proposals they set out earlier.
0870 numbers (which currently exhibit a charge of about 8p per minute during the day) will drop such that they are no more than geographic numbers (as in 01/02 numbers). They will be removed from NTS determination (number translation services). This means it's no longer going to be able to generate revenue for 0870 users form inbound ingress.
Users are able to charge more, however then a caller announcement has to be made (at no cost to the caller) before the charged call goes through.
The changes come into play in 2008.
There are no planned changes to 0844/0845 numbers.
0871 numbers will fall under ICSTIS regulations (who govern premium rate numbers) regarding pricing, but by the end of 2006 there will be NO adult services of any type on 08 numbers.
By June 2006 any NTS numbers will need to be clearly along side normal numbers.
Ofcom is making changes to various number ranges in-line with proposals they set out earlier.
0870 numbers (which currently exhibit a charge of about 8p per minute during the day) will drop such that they are no more than geographic numbers (as in 01/02 numbers). They will be removed from NTS determination (number translation services). This means it's no longer going to be able to generate revenue for 0870 users form inbound ingress.
Users are able to charge more, however then a caller announcement has to be made (at no cost to the caller) before the charged call goes through.
The changes come into play in 2008.
There are no planned changes to 0844/0845 numbers.
0871 numbers will fall under ICSTIS regulations (who govern premium rate numbers) regarding pricing, but by the end of 2006 there will be NO adult services of any type on 08 numbers.
By June 2006 any NTS numbers will need to be clearly along side normal numbers.
2006/04/13
Digit news - May launch date set for Q1 ultra mobile PC
Digit news - May launch date set for Q1 ultra mobile PC
Samsung is launching the Q1 computer worldwide in May which is the first of the Microsoft "Origami" platform. It will have a Celeron running at 900MHz and a 40GB disk.
Don't bother and get an OQO instead !!!
Samsung is launching the Q1 computer worldwide in May which is the first of the Microsoft "Origami" platform. It will have a Celeron running at 900MHz and a 40GB disk.
Don't bother and get an OQO instead !!!
Digit news - Popcorn 2 converts DVD video to iPod, PSP
Digit news - Popcorn 2 converts DVD video to iPod, PSP
Roxio the makers of Toast, have released Popcorn 2 which will copy DVD's to various formats. V2 adds the capability to directly convert to formats suitable for the PSP and iPod and 3GPP phones.
It wont copy "copy-protected" DVDs (i.e. commercial DVDs), but there are tools out there which will rip them, and then Popcorn can handle the Video_TS file which is created by them. It will also compress disks so a dual-layer disc will fit on to a single layer (obviously loosing quality).
It's available in Universal Binary format on MacOS X and costs £30 +VAT or £17 for an upgrade from a previus version.
Roxio the makers of Toast, have released Popcorn 2 which will copy DVD's to various formats. V2 adds the capability to directly convert to formats suitable for the PSP and iPod and 3GPP phones.
It wont copy "copy-protected" DVDs (i.e. commercial DVDs), but there are tools out there which will rip them, and then Popcorn can handle the Video_TS file which is created by them. It will also compress disks so a dual-layer disc will fit on to a single layer (obviously loosing quality).
It's available in Universal Binary format on MacOS X and costs £30 +VAT or £17 for an upgrade from a previus version.
Ofcom Website | Broadband – switching, migration and connection processes
Ofcom Website | Broadband – switching, migration and connection processes
Ofcom has launched an investigation into how well processes are working so customers can switch to and/or connect to other broadband providers.
Though broadband is a relatively new technology, more than 80,000 new customers per week are connecting to broadband services.
The investigation will work with internet service providers and Openreach to ensure all providers benefit from equal access to critical network infrastructure.
Ofcom has launched an investigation into how well processes are working so customers can switch to and/or connect to other broadband providers.
Though broadband is a relatively new technology, more than 80,000 new customers per week are connecting to broadband services.
The investigation will work with internet service providers and Openreach to ensure all providers benefit from equal access to critical network infrastructure.
2006/04/12
Ofcom Website | The replicability of BT's regulated retail business services and the regulation of business retail markets
Ofcom Website | The replicability of BT's regulated retail business services and the regulation of business retail markets
BT want to be able to offer various bespoke (unpublished) prices to customers for various services as they say they can now be replicated by their competitors.
Ofcom have deemed that services like CPS (carrier pre select), WLR (wholesale line rental) and PPCs (partial private circuits) are not et replicable, but BT are moving towards a point where they will be. BT can work on each one indvidually rather than have to ensure all a compliant.
Though good for the consumer as BT can drop prices and offer mixes of services with various bundles, without close attention it's BT killing off the competition again.
BT want to be able to offer various bespoke (unpublished) prices to customers for various services as they say they can now be replicated by their competitors.
Ofcom have deemed that services like CPS (carrier pre select), WLR (wholesale line rental) and PPCs (partial private circuits) are not et replicable, but BT are moving towards a point where they will be. BT can work on each one indvidually rather than have to ensure all a compliant.
Though good for the consumer as BT can drop prices and offer mixes of services with various bundles, without close attention it's BT killing off the competition again.
Ofcom Website | Spectrum Usage Rights
Ofcom Website | Spectrum Usage Rights
Ofcom are holding a consultation on the liberalisation of spectrum usage rights. This means that where licenses have stipulated the use and technolog, this will no longer be the case.
Ofcom will still ensure that interference issues are kept to a minimum, but licensees may choose what they use the spectrum for and they also choose the technology to implement that use.
There is no fixed date on this as it is a mjor change to current licensing, but Ofcom are looking for interested parties to respond.
Ofcom are holding a consultation on the liberalisation of spectrum usage rights. This means that where licenses have stipulated the use and technolog, this will no longer be the case.
Ofcom will still ensure that interference issues are kept to a minimum, but licensees may choose what they use the spectrum for and they also choose the technology to implement that use.
There is no fixed date on this as it is a mjor change to current licensing, but Ofcom are looking for interested parties to respond.
Ofcom Website | Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence Fee Proposals for encouraging internet licensing
Ofcom Website | Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence Fee Proposals for encouraging internet licensing
Ofcom is proposing to change the licensing for Amateur Radio, Ship Radio, Ship Portable Radio and Citizen's band radio such that if the license is obtained via the internet they are free for the lifetime of the license.
The Citizen's band license means that Ofcom will have to make exemptions regulations for equipment used in that band which will be covered in a seperate consultation (to be issued shortly).
Comments should be sent to Ofcom by 1th May 2006.
Ofcom is proposing to change the licensing for Amateur Radio, Ship Radio, Ship Portable Radio and Citizen's band radio such that if the license is obtained via the internet they are free for the lifetime of the license.
The Citizen's band license means that Ofcom will have to make exemptions regulations for equipment used in that band which will be covered in a seperate consultation (to be issued shortly).
Comments should be sent to Ofcom by 1th May 2006.
2006/04/11
Ofcom Website | Spectrum licence for mobile radio and public safety applications
Ofcom Website | Spectrum licence for mobile radio and public safety applications
Ofcom is going to offer spectrum in early 2007 in the paried band 872-876MHz and 917-921MHz (2x4MHz). There will be a single national license. The license is being offered for a minimum of 15 years, will cover the whole of the UK, will be technology and application neutral.
There will be a single round of sealed bids, the minimum price is £50,000.
The deadline for the consultation is 21st June 2006.
Ofcom is going to offer spectrum in early 2007 in the paried band 872-876MHz and 917-921MHz (2x4MHz). There will be a single national license. The license is being offered for a minimum of 15 years, will cover the whole of the UK, will be technology and application neutral.
There will be a single round of sealed bids, the minimum price is £50,000.
The deadline for the consultation is 21st June 2006.
Ofcom Website | 1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz
Ofcom Website | 1781.7-1785 MHz paired with 1876.7-1880 MHz:
Ofcom have released details on when sealed bids can be delivered is Thursday 20 April between 10:00 and 17:30.
The final list of approved bidders is: -
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
Which makes 14 bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. It's very possible the bigger players will put big sums in for bids, but only say for 7 or 8 and maybe much lower bids for 12 licenses.
Ofcom have a duty to maximise the use of the spectrum, but also generate revenue for the government. If the big bidders do only put large bids in for small numbers of licenses, they're likely to kill of smaller bids for all 12.
The smaller players would likely utilise the spectrum in more innovative ways.
Ofcom have released details on when sealed bids can be delivered is Thursday 20 April between 10:00 and 17:30.
The final list of approved bidders is: -
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
Which makes 14 bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. It's very possible the bigger players will put big sums in for bids, but only say for 7 or 8 and maybe much lower bids for 12 licenses.
Ofcom have a duty to maximise the use of the spectrum, but also generate revenue for the government. If the big bidders do only put large bids in for small numbers of licenses, they're likely to kill of smaller bids for all 12.
The smaller players would likely utilise the spectrum in more innovative ways.
Ofcom Website | Mobile Services on Aircraft
Ofcom Website | Mobile Services on Aircraft:
Ofcom has produced a paper on the Regulatory issues raised by allowing GSM in planes (utilising an in-plane microcell).
Some of the potential issues are: -
* the territorial jurisdiction of Ofcom and other National Regulatory Agencies over airborne systems;
* the legal status of the proposed Network Control Unit under the R&TTE Directive;
* the status of airborne services under the Authorisation Directive;
* the protection of other services from interference
* the regulation of the backhaul from aircraft to ground;
* the arrangements for managing the systems in the air;
* access to numbering resources;
* the range of technologies covered by the current European work."
There are potentially several licensing issues (like options of authorising such systems and who should authorise them).
Currently utilising the 1800MHz band is favoured.
Ofcom is loking for comments from stakeholders.
Ofcom has produced a paper on the Regulatory issues raised by allowing GSM in planes (utilising an in-plane microcell).
Some of the potential issues are: -
* the territorial jurisdiction of Ofcom and other National Regulatory Agencies over airborne systems;
* the legal status of the proposed Network Control Unit under the R&TTE Directive;
* the status of airborne services under the Authorisation Directive;
* the protection of other services from interference
* the regulation of the backhaul from aircraft to ground;
* the arrangements for managing the systems in the air;
* access to numbering resources;
* the range of technologies covered by the current European work."
There are potentially several licensing issues (like options of authorising such systems and who should authorise them).
Currently utilising the 1800MHz band is favoured.
Ofcom is loking for comments from stakeholders.
2006/04/07
Digit news - Trademark rift between Apples may end soon
Digit news - Trademark rift between Apples may end soon
The battle between Apple Computer and Apple Corp continues, but maybe will end soon.
Apple Computer licensed the right to use the logo and trademark for computers, but not for music. This is the 3rd time they've been sued by the record company.
This time it's over the iTunes music store selling pre-recorded music, which is probably very much in Apple Corp's space.
The battle between Apple Computer and Apple Corp continues, but maybe will end soon.
Apple Computer licensed the right to use the logo and trademark for computers, but not for music. This is the 3rd time they've been sued by the record company.
This time it's over the iTunes music store selling pre-recorded music, which is probably very much in Apple Corp's space.
Digit news - Samsung delays Blu-ray Disc player launch
Digit news - Samsung delays Blu-ray Disc player launch
Samsung has delayed the launch of it's consumer BluRay player by a month as to ensure it works with a compliance disc due out next month
Commercial films from Lionsgate and Sony are due on May 23rd and say they are still on track.
Toshiba meanwhile has launched its HDDVD player.
Samsung has delayed the launch of it's consumer BluRay player by a month as to ensure it works with a compliance disc due out next month
Commercial films from Lionsgate and Sony are due on May 23rd and say they are still on track.
Toshiba meanwhile has launched its HDDVD player.
Digit news - Hands on: MacBook Pro heads to Boot Camp
Digit news - Hands on: MacBook Pro heads to Boot Camp
Apple has released Boot Camp for Intel based Macs, currently a free trial, though it is meant to expire after some time, at which point MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) will be released and it comes with that.
It allows Macs to dual-boot MacOS X and WindowsXP SP2, NOTE only SP2, older versions will NOT install.
Apple have always said they don't care if Windows runs on Intel Mac hardware, they don't want MacOS running on generic PC hardware though.
Why would they want it? Until they can get all MacOS software into Universal Binary format they have problems as running apps through their Rosetta technology is slow, especially apps like Photoshop.
Creatives like Macs, a lot like them for Adobe apps, Adobe wont have Universal Binaries for a while. Now they can continue to use their nice Macs and switch into XP when they want to run Adobe apps at a sensible speed.
Apple has released Boot Camp for Intel based Macs, currently a free trial, though it is meant to expire after some time, at which point MacOS X 10.5 (Leopard) will be released and it comes with that.
It allows Macs to dual-boot MacOS X and WindowsXP SP2, NOTE only SP2, older versions will NOT install.
Apple have always said they don't care if Windows runs on Intel Mac hardware, they don't want MacOS running on generic PC hardware though.
Why would they want it? Until they can get all MacOS software into Universal Binary format they have problems as running apps through their Rosetta technology is slow, especially apps like Photoshop.
Creatives like Macs, a lot like them for Adobe apps, Adobe wont have Universal Binaries for a while. Now they can continue to use their nice Macs and switch into XP when they want to run Adobe apps at a sensible speed.
2006/04/04
Ofcom Website | Annual Plan 2006/7
Ofcom Website | Annual Plan 2006/7:"
Ofcom have released details of their annual plan for 2007, though covering the communications framework, they are concentrating on the following: -
. Spectrum release: auctions and liberalisation;
. implementation of the telecommunications strategic review;
. continued deregulation;
. next-generation network deployment in telecommunications;
. public service broadcasting: future developments;
. content delivery;
. protection of citizens and consumers;
. availability and access; and
. greater international engagement.
Ofcom also to fully pay of the loan made to fund them by 2007/8.
Ofcom have released details of their annual plan for 2007, though covering the communications framework, they are concentrating on the following: -
. Spectrum release: auctions and liberalisation;
. implementation of the telecommunications strategic review;
. continued deregulation;
. next-generation network deployment in telecommunications;
. public service broadcasting: future developments;
. content delivery;
. protection of citizens and consumers;
. availability and access; and
. greater international engagement.
Ofcom also to fully pay of the loan made to fund them by 2007/8.
2006/04/03
Ofcom Website | Spectrum licences for broadband, wireless communications and mobile multimedia services
Ofcom Website | Spectrum licences for broadband, wireless communications and mobile multimedia services
Ofcom intend to auction licenses for spectrum at frequencies 452-1492MHz (40MHz) on a technology and application-neutral basis by March 2007.
It's expected licenses with last at least 15 years and be fully tradeable and technology and application neutral (though with some restrictions as part of the spectrum is under international arrangement).
The lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages and the lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages.
The award will be decided by a simultaneous multiple round auction.
It's expected that the spectrum could be used for such services as mobile TV (DVB-H or DMB), broadband wireless access using techologies such as WiMAX, satellite digital radio (the upper band would support S-DAB) and programme making (such as wireless cameras at sporting events).
The consultation period finishes on the 9th of June 2006 and Ofcom intends to publish later in 2006 with an auction taking place early in 2007.
Ofcom intend to auction licenses for spectrum at frequencies 452-1492MHz (40MHz) on a technology and application-neutral basis by March 2007.
It's expected licenses with last at least 15 years and be fully tradeable and technology and application neutral (though with some restrictions as part of the spectrum is under international arrangement).
The lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages and the lower 27.5 MHz of the 40MHz available could be made available as one or more packages.
The award will be decided by a simultaneous multiple round auction.
It's expected that the spectrum could be used for such services as mobile TV (DVB-H or DMB), broadband wireless access using techologies such as WiMAX, satellite digital radio (the upper band would support S-DAB) and programme making (such as wireless cameras at sporting events).
The consultation period finishes on the 9th of June 2006 and Ofcom intends to publish later in 2006 with an auction taking place early in 2007.
Ofcom announces companies who have been qualified to bid for GSM Guard Band licenses
The following companies have been qualified to bid for the award of spectrum in the bands 1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1880MHz.
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
Centric Telecom Ltd
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
ntl Group Limited
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
That gives 16 potential bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. However there are some big players (BT, C&W, Colt, NTL, O2, Carphone Warehouse [Opal], Orange, PLDT) which potentially means that there will be at least 8 least 8 gone, maybe leaving 4 license between the 8 smaller players.
The minimum bid is £50,000, but it's expected that licenses will go for at leats 6 figures.
Oddly Coffee Telecom who have been extremely vocal about running GSM services and bidding for a license and potentially trying to land grab even before the applications closed, don't seem to be in the list.
British Telecommunications PLC
Cable & Wireless UK (England)
Centric Telecom Ltd
COLT Mobile Telecommunications Ltd
Cyberpress Ltd
FMS Solutions Ltd
Mapesbury Communications Ltd
ntl Group Limited
02 (UK) Ltd
Opal Telecom Ltd
Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd
PLDT (UK) Ltd
Shyam Telecom UK Ltd
Spring Mobil AB
Teleware PLC
Zynetix Ltd
That gives 16 potential bidders for between 7 and 12 licenses. However there are some big players (BT, C&W, Colt, NTL, O2, Carphone Warehouse [Opal], Orange, PLDT) which potentially means that there will be at least 8 least 8 gone, maybe leaving 4 license between the 8 smaller players.
The minimum bid is £50,000, but it's expected that licenses will go for at leats 6 figures.
Oddly Coffee Telecom who have been extremely vocal about running GSM services and bidding for a license and potentially trying to land grab even before the applications closed, don't seem to be in the list.
Ofcom Website | Statement: Modification to the Number Portability General Condition and the National Telephone Numbering Plan
Ofcom Website | Statement: Modification to the Number Portability General Condition and the National Telephone Numbering Plan
Ofcom are holding a consultation on number portablility and the national telephone numbering plan.
In summary number porting should be encouraged where possible, especially for new wave telcos (using technologies such as VoIP).
There needs to be some controls so the consumer knows what call they are making i.e. there can be issues when porting a fixed number to a mobile network or vice versa, but porting between mobile networks shouldn't be hindered or between fixed networks.
However where in the past numbers have been tied to geographic areas, this should no longer be the case and they can be ported to services not tied to a location.
Ofcom may also intervene where providers do not port numbers (it may not be in there interest to do so) but gnerally the system will be left to run by the market.
Ofcom are holding a consultation on number portablility and the national telephone numbering plan.
In summary number porting should be encouraged where possible, especially for new wave telcos (using technologies such as VoIP).
There needs to be some controls so the consumer knows what call they are making i.e. there can be issues when porting a fixed number to a mobile network or vice versa, but porting between mobile networks shouldn't be hindered or between fixed networks.
However where in the past numbers have been tied to geographic areas, this should no longer be the case and they can be ported to services not tied to a location.
Ofcom may also intervene where providers do not port numbers (it may not be in there interest to do so) but gnerally the system will be left to run by the market.
Ofcom Website | Mobile Call Termination - Market Review
Ofcom Website | Mobile Call Termination - Market Review
Ofcom is holding a consultation about Mobile Call Termination. Currently 2G (GSM) networks are regulated in the pricing that they may charge to terminate calls and Ofcom are looking to extend this to 3G as well.
Currently the view is that termination should be regulated and continue to be so.
Ofcom is holding a consultation about Mobile Call Termination. Currently 2G (GSM) networks are regulated in the pricing that they may charge to terminate calls and Ofcom are looking to extend this to 3G as well.
Currently the view is that termination should be regulated and continue to be so.
Digit news - First HD-DVD player launched in Japan
Digit news - First HD-DVD player launched in Japan
Toshiba have launched the first HD-DVD player in Japan. It's a chunky beast known as the HD-XA1. It should go on sale in the US in April.
It uses the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) which was only finalised last month.
Currently there aren't any HD disks available yet (due to go one sale April 7th).
The battle is now starting, HDDVD or BluRay ... only time will tell who wins.
Toshiba have launched the first HD-DVD player in Japan. It's a chunky beast known as the HD-XA1. It should go on sale in the US in April.
It uses the Advanced Access Content System (AACS) which was only finalised last month.
Currently there aren't any HD disks available yet (due to go one sale April 7th).
The battle is now starting, HDDVD or BluRay ... only time will tell who wins.
Digit news - NuVJ video controller introduced
Digit news - NuVJ video controller introduced
ArKaos and Numark have teamed up to produce a VJ console that works woth both PCs and Macs. It utilises the video card in the host computer to do the video processing so with newer cards allows for high resolution real-time effects.
It comes with various videos, stills and graphics and can sync to an external audio source or an internal beats per minute generator.
The unit has two banks of nine trigger pads for video and two wheels to manage scratch, effect and speed control and is MIDI compliant.
Could be a fun unit.
The Numark iPod DJ mixer looks nice too, though it's limited by the iPod's capabilties (and what Apple allow through the dock connector) so can only really mix tracks without allowing speed control or other advanced features that DJ's like.
ArKaos and Numark have teamed up to produce a VJ console that works woth both PCs and Macs. It utilises the video card in the host computer to do the video processing so with newer cards allows for high resolution real-time effects.
It comes with various videos, stills and graphics and can sync to an external audio source or an internal beats per minute generator.
The unit has two banks of nine trigger pads for video and two wheels to manage scratch, effect and speed control and is MIDI compliant.
Could be a fun unit.
The Numark iPod DJ mixer looks nice too, though it's limited by the iPod's capabilties (and what Apple allow through the dock connector) so can only really mix tracks without allowing speed control or other advanced features that DJ's like.
2006/03/28
Ofcom Website | Ofcom proposal to deregulate BT retail phone cost controls
Ofcom Website | Ofcom proposal to deregulate BT retail phone cost controls
Ofcom are proposing degregulating retail price controls on BT line rentals and calls.
This is a blessing for consumers as BT can now bundle all sorts of services together (i.e. free calls with line rental, or no line rental and higher call charges), however competitors are going to struggle. It also may provd the death knell for wireless broadband operators.
Ofcom's reasoning is that there are significant VoIP users utilising broadband (circa 500,000), there are now competing providers and other local loop operators.
Changes will takes place from August 1, 2006 which doesn't give competitors long to get their grip on the market.
Ofcom are proposing degregulating retail price controls on BT line rentals and calls.
This is a blessing for consumers as BT can now bundle all sorts of services together (i.e. free calls with line rental, or no line rental and higher call charges), however competitors are going to struggle. It also may provd the death knell for wireless broadband operators.
Ofcom's reasoning is that there are significant VoIP users utilising broadband (circa 500,000), there are now competing providers and other local loop operators.
Changes will takes place from August 1, 2006 which doesn't give competitors long to get their grip on the market.
Ofcom Website | Assessing the impact of NGNs on interconnection tariffs’ distance gradients
Ofcom Website | Assessing the impact of NGNs on interconnection tariffs’ distance gradients
DotEcon have produced a report about distance gradient pricing for NGNs (Next Generation Networks i.e. networks that have migrated to IP like BT's 21CN).
NGNs are likely to change the face of telecoms in the UK and though the report does not necessarily reflect the views of Ofcom it may give an indicative view of how gradients will function.
DotEcon have produced a report about distance gradient pricing for NGNs (Next Generation Networks i.e. networks that have migrated to IP like BT's 21CN).
NGNs are likely to change the face of telecoms in the UK and though the report does not necessarily reflect the views of Ofcom it may give an indicative view of how gradients will function.
Ofcom Website | Disaggregated Markets - Leased Lines
Ofcom Website | Disaggregated Markets - Leased Lines
Ofcom is conducting a consultation on the geographic variance of leased lines.
It's quite technical, but will probably show that London has a healthy market and elsewhere more and more people are migrating to DSL as the economics are much worse for direct circuits.
Ofcom is conducting a consultation on the geographic variance of leased lines.
It's quite technical, but will probably show that London has a healthy market and elsewhere more and more people are migrating to DSL as the economics are much worse for direct circuits.
GSM Guard Band licenses
Rumours are that Ofcom have announced who is in the bidding for the GSM Guard Band licenses. Information on who's in there isn't public.
It'll be interesting to see if the mobile operators have jumped in, or a load of new entrants.
There are going to be between 7 and 12 low power national licenses awarded.
It'll be interesting to see if the mobile operators have jumped in, or a load of new entrants.
There are going to be between 7 and 12 low power national licenses awarded.
Digit news - Samsung offers 32GB SSD drive
Digit news - Samsung offers 32GB SSD drive
At CeBIT Samsung demonstrated a 32GB solid state disk, that booted an XP machine is about half the time compared to that of a disk based workstation. They've also packaged the memory into a 1.8" form factor so making it a direct swap for conventional drives.
Though there will be speed/weight and possible power improvements, solid state disks are very expensive compared to the conventional magnetic platter type. If demand is high enough the price could drop.
CeBit also saw the launch of a 200GB conventional notebook disk.
At CeBIT Samsung demonstrated a 32GB solid state disk, that booted an XP machine is about half the time compared to that of a disk based workstation. They've also packaged the memory into a 1.8" form factor so making it a direct swap for conventional drives.
Though there will be speed/weight and possible power improvements, solid state disks are very expensive compared to the conventional magnetic platter type. If demand is high enough the price could drop.
CeBit also saw the launch of a 200GB conventional notebook disk.
Digit news - Apple lashes out at proposed French law
Digit news - Apple lashes out at proposed French law
Apple aren't happy that the French Government are proposing to allow users to put Apple content on to any type of media player. iTunes sells iPods (and the other way around), and Apple like that monopoly.
Real Networks worked out how to break Apple's DRM, but Apple stopped Real doing anything with the technology.
It doesn't just affect Apple, the law would affect any DRM'ed content, it's just Apple has the most to lose.
Apple aren't happy that the French Government are proposing to allow users to put Apple content on to any type of media player. iTunes sells iPods (and the other way around), and Apple like that monopoly.
Real Networks worked out how to break Apple's DRM, but Apple stopped Real doing anything with the technology.
It doesn't just affect Apple, the law would affect any DRM'ed content, it's just Apple has the most to lose.
Digit news - Dell snaps up Alienware
Digit news - Dell snaps up Alienware
Alienware have a reputation for making high power games machines. Dell have tried to enter that market with their own XPS range, so there's a good possibility Dell will move out of specific games market and leave that to their acquisition.
Alienware meanwhile gets Dell's supply chain.
Dell has been a staunch supporter of Intel, while Alienware have supported both Intel and AMD. Dell says they have no plans to stop Alienware running with their own product lines. Maybe this is a way to sneak AMD processors into Dell.
Alienware have a reputation for making high power games machines. Dell have tried to enter that market with their own XPS range, so there's a good possibility Dell will move out of specific games market and leave that to their acquisition.
Alienware meanwhile gets Dell's supply chain.
Dell has been a staunch supporter of Intel, while Alienware have supported both Intel and AMD. Dell says they have no plans to stop Alienware running with their own product lines. Maybe this is a way to sneak AMD processors into Dell.
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