Ofcom statement
Ofcom has published a statement that will force all operators of sexual entertainment services (SES) to move from 08 numbers to a new 098 number range.
Currently there are also SES running on 0908 and 0909. Existing services can remain on those numbers, though the numbering of the range will facilitate migrating to the new numer range. No new SES will be allocated on 0908 and 0909.
All premium rate services (PRS) are regulated by ICSTIS and therefore 098 services will be covered by them (currently not all 08 services are covered). Though the ICSTIS regulations come into force imediately, SES migrating from 08 numbers will be given 4 weeks to comply (to ensure they have time to complete the registration process).
This should make it clearer for consumers that they are using a PRS service and there's a standard complaints procedure for misuse.
2007/03/13
802.11n draft 2.0 approved
The IEEE 802.11 working group has reached consensus after 2 months of balloting by achieving over 75% majority.
Now that the draft is approved, it will go on sale by the IEEE and companies can start to modify existing equipment to ensure compliance.
Though the draft was approved there were 3,163 comments to the draft of which 1,441 are editorial and another 1,635 technical. This means that the draft is sound, though some changes may occur before it's ratified as a standard. Future revisions will still require a 75% majority vote.
This is good news for consumers who can start to buy 802.11n draft 2.0 equipment, knowing that the final version shouldn't be too different.
Now that the draft is approved, it will go on sale by the IEEE and companies can start to modify existing equipment to ensure compliance.
Though the draft was approved there were 3,163 comments to the draft of which 1,441 are editorial and another 1,635 technical. This means that the draft is sound, though some changes may occur before it's ratified as a standard. Future revisions will still require a 75% majority vote.
This is good news for consumers who can start to buy 802.11n draft 2.0 equipment, knowing that the final version shouldn't be too different.
2007/03/08
'Online Photoshop' details emerge News - PC Advisor
'Online Photoshop' details emerge News - PC Advisor: "'Online Photoshop' "
Adobe is planning an on-line version of Photoshop, though it's aimed at consumers not professionals.
They've also announced their Remix service for video users.
Adobe is planning an on-line version of Photoshop, though it's aimed at consumers not professionals.
They've also announced their Remix service for video users.
2007/03/07
Sony debuts video Walkman
Digit Online
Sony has announced a Walkman that can play video. It comes in 2, 4 and 8GB versions.
It supports ATRAC and MP3, though battery life is better with ATRAC and it comes with software to convert various formats into ATRAC.
Videowise it supports MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) and has a QVGA 240 pixels by 320 pixels display.
The 2GB version costs around £120, the 4GB £155 and 8GB £200.
Sony has announced a Walkman that can play video. It comes in 2, 4 and 8GB versions.
It supports ATRAC and MP3, though battery life is better with ATRAC and it comes with software to convert various formats into ATRAC.
Videowise it supports MPEG4 (H.264/AVC) and has a QVGA 240 pixels by 320 pixels display.
The 2GB version costs around £120, the 4GB £155 and 8GB £200.
Adobe Creative Suite 3 to launch March 27
Adobe has said it will release Creative Suite v3 on the 27th of March, however no details have been given about what will be in CS3.
They've been running a web video (available on YouTube) called "What's in the Box" for a while.
Currently standard Adobe CS2 contains Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, InDesign CS2, Version Cue CS2 and Bridge and the Premium version adds adds Acrobat 8, GoLive CS2 and Dreamweaver 8.
They've been running a web video (available on YouTube) called "What's in the Box" for a while.
Currently standard Adobe CS2 contains Photoshop CS2, Illustrator CS2, InDesign CS2, Version Cue CS2 and Bridge and the Premium version adds adds Acrobat 8, GoLive CS2 and Dreamweaver 8.
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Ofcom are holding a consultation on reducing the number block allocations on certain exchanges were numbers are running out.
Ofcom normally allocate blocks of 10,000 numbers. Ofcom are proposing to reduce this to allocations of 1,000 numbers where numbers are becoming scarce.
This affects 59 new geographics codes (as well as the 79 existing conservation areas). There are also another 32 that, though are not at risk at present will be in the future.
Ofcom are proposing 2 options: -
Option 1: take conservation measures now on all 91 geographic area codes
Option 2: take conservation measures now on the 59 geographic area codes with the
additional 32 geographic area codes to be given conservation status in January 2008.
The consultation ends of 5th April 2007.
Ofcom are holding a consultation on reducing the number block allocations on certain exchanges were numbers are running out.
Ofcom normally allocate blocks of 10,000 numbers. Ofcom are proposing to reduce this to allocations of 1,000 numbers where numbers are becoming scarce.
This affects 59 new geographics codes (as well as the 79 existing conservation areas). There are also another 32 that, though are not at risk at present will be in the future.
Ofcom are proposing 2 options: -
Option 1: take conservation measures now on all 91 geographic area codes
Option 2: take conservation measures now on the 59 geographic area codes with the
additional 32 geographic area codes to be given conservation status in January 2008.
The consultation ends of 5th April 2007.
BT Public Call Boxes | Ofcom
BT Public Call Boxes | Ofcom
BT have to provide call boxes under their Universal Service Obligations, this is something they'd rather not do.
Some call boxes are situated in remote regions and BT wish to trial varying pricing depending on the location of the phone box itself.
BT will have to publish what they are going to do in the trial and proposed tarrifs.
Ofcom wish to allow BT to trial this but are holding a consultation on the matter.
BT have to provide call boxes under their Universal Service Obligations, this is something they'd rather not do.
Some call boxes are situated in remote regions and BT wish to trial varying pricing depending on the location of the phone box itself.
BT will have to publish what they are going to do in the trial and proposed tarrifs.
Ofcom wish to allow BT to trial this but are holding a consultation on the matter.
Proposal to make the Radio Frequency Identification Equipment (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 | Ofcom
Proposal to make the Radio Frequency Identification Equipment (Exemption) (Amendment) Regulations 2007 | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation with regards the 865-868 MHz band which is used for RFID systems. Ofcom have previously made this band license exempt and CEPT (EU ITU) wants member states to make this permanent, which requires a law change.
Ofcom as part as CEPT (and under EU harmonisation rules) is proposing to make this happen.
Ofcom is holding a consultation with regards the 865-868 MHz band which is used for RFID systems. Ofcom have previously made this band license exempt and CEPT (EU ITU) wants member states to make this permanent, which requires a law change.
Ofcom as part as CEPT (and under EU harmonisation rules) is proposing to make this happen.
2007/03/05
PNY launches Quadro FX 4600 for 3D pros
Digit Online
PNY had released the Quadro FX4600 which is an upgraded version of the FX 4500. It has 128 parallel 1.35GHz cores and 768MB of RAM a core clock speed of 500MHz and memory speed of 600MHz and the memory interface is not 384-bit.
The chip supports Vista's DirectX 10 graphics system. It also supports CUDA, nVidia's computing platform (where the GPU can be used for computational tasks, that may not be graphics related).
Frame and gen-lock are available through a daughter card (the Quadro G-Sync board). There's also a version of the card supporting 12-bit HD SDI (the Quadro 6400SDI).
Hopefully Apple will adopt this chipset as their high-end offering for the MacPro which currently uses a Quadro 4500.
PNY had released the Quadro FX4600 which is an upgraded version of the FX 4500. It has 128 parallel 1.35GHz cores and 768MB of RAM a core clock speed of 500MHz and memory speed of 600MHz and the memory interface is not 384-bit.
The chip supports Vista's DirectX 10 graphics system. It also supports CUDA, nVidia's computing platform (where the GPU can be used for computational tasks, that may not be graphics related).
Frame and gen-lock are available through a daughter card (the Quadro G-Sync board). There's also a version of the card supporting 12-bit HD SDI (the Quadro 6400SDI).
Hopefully Apple will adopt this chipset as their high-end offering for the MacPro which currently uses a Quadro 4500.
DVD download specification approved
The DVD Copy Control Association has had its protection scheme approved by the DVD Forum who met near Japan for downloadable content that can be burnt on to DVDs. It will require a new disk that's similar to a DVD-R disk which should work on most consumer DVD players.
Initially it's expected the technology will be used in controlled environments such as kiosks rather than on PC's, though if it works out it could be used on general PC systems.
Initially it's expected the technology will be used in controlled environments such as kiosks rather than on PC's, though if it works out it could be used on general PC systems.
3D virtual world Kaneva coming soon
Digit Online
Kaneva is sort of like Second Life, but a social networking (think MySpace) version.
Currently you can sign-up, but there's no guarantee that you'll actually be invited to participate in the 3D World. However on sign-in'ing up you'll be inundated with "friend requests".
There's no real view of how they're going to make money, maybe advertising in the 3D world itself, whether it competes with traditional social networking sites only time will tell.
Kaneva is sort of like Second Life, but a social networking (think MySpace) version.
Currently you can sign-up, but there's no guarantee that you'll actually be invited to participate in the 3D World. However on sign-in'ing up you'll be inundated with "friend requests".
There's no real view of how they're going to make money, maybe advertising in the 3D world itself, whether it competes with traditional social networking sites only time will tell.
2007/03/01
Replicability: the regulation of BT's retail business exchange line services | Ofcom
Replicability: the regulation of BT's retail business exchange line services | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on whether BT can set its own pricing on certain business exchange line services to high value customers (£1m sales per annum).
Other telcos objected to this, as they still felt BT had SMP (significant market power) in this area. Ofcom has made BT change certain products so there is greater competition. Products affected are WLR (wholesale line rental), CPS (Carrier Preselect) amongst others.
This only affects a small part of the market, but they have significant spend power.
BT are making big inroads in being allowed to bunded retails products where one may susbisidise another.
BT Wholesale has been forced to maintain broadband pricing at a relatively high level to allow competition from new LLU entrants, but this is all going to change when 1.5m exchange lines are unbundled and ith will put further pressure on LLU operators.
Ofcom is holding a consultation on whether BT can set its own pricing on certain business exchange line services to high value customers (£1m sales per annum).
Other telcos objected to this, as they still felt BT had SMP (significant market power) in this area. Ofcom has made BT change certain products so there is greater competition. Products affected are WLR (wholesale line rental), CPS (Carrier Preselect) amongst others.
This only affects a small part of the market, but they have significant spend power.
BT are making big inroads in being allowed to bunded retails products where one may susbisidise another.
BT Wholesale has been forced to maintain broadband pricing at a relatively high level to allow competition from new LLU entrants, but this is all going to change when 1.5m exchange lines are unbundled and ith will put further pressure on LLU operators.
Licensing in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 64-66 GHz bands | Ofcom
Licensing in the 71-76 GHz, 81-86 GHz and 64-66 GHz bands | Ofcom
Ofcom is making these bands available for short-haul fixed links on 8th of March 2007. They could allow very high bandwidth point to point links.
Ofcom will maintain a database/registry of links so interference issues can be minimised, however it's expected industry will self-regulate.
Unfortunately there's very little radio equipment available that operates in these bands and equipment costs will be prohibitive for all but high end users (the spectrum available will allow gigibit or greater link speeds), so it's more suited to intra-building applications (LAN extensions) rather than any kind of backhaul network. The license cost is also relatively high - £50 per link - again suiting more to very short-haul LAN extension links rather than a multi-hop backbone network.
Ofcom is making these bands available for short-haul fixed links on 8th of March 2007. They could allow very high bandwidth point to point links.
Ofcom will maintain a database/registry of links so interference issues can be minimised, however it's expected industry will self-regulate.
Unfortunately there's very little radio equipment available that operates in these bands and equipment costs will be prohibitive for all but high end users (the spectrum available will allow gigibit or greater link speeds), so it's more suited to intra-building applications (LAN extensions) rather than any kind of backhaul network. The license cost is also relatively high - £50 per link - again suiting more to very short-haul LAN extension links rather than a multi-hop backbone network.
2007/02/27
Tiggdo - Mobile personalization and other services for your mobile cell phone
Tiggdo - Mobile personalization and other services for your mobile cell phone
Another site that want promotion. At least their service seems sensible and they've already worked with the BBC to offer mobile personalised news to WAP enabled mobile devices.
The have developed sites in multiple languages based on BBC news.
http://ara.tiggdo.com - Arabic
http://aze.tiggdo.com - Azeri
http://car.tiggdo.com - Caribbean
http://chi.tiggdo.com - Chinese
http://fre.tiggdo.com - French
http://hin.tiggdo.com - Hindi
http://ind.tiggdo.com - Indonesian
http://kyr.tiggdo.com - Kyrgyz
http://mac.tiggdo.com - Macedonian
http://per.tiggdo.com - Persian
http://por.tiggdo.com - Portuguese
http://rus.tiggdo.com - Russian
http://ser.tiggdo.com - Serbian
http://spa.tiggdo.com - Spanish
http://tur.tiggdo.com - Turkish
http://urd.tiggdo.com - Urdu
http://uzb.tiggdo.com - Uzbek
http://vie.tiggdo.com - Vietnamese
Could be useful for your site.
Another site that want promotion. At least their service seems sensible and they've already worked with the BBC to offer mobile personalised news to WAP enabled mobile devices.
The have developed sites in multiple languages based on BBC news.
http://ara.tiggdo.com - Arabic
http://aze.tiggdo.com - Azeri
http://car.tiggdo.com - Caribbean
http://chi.tiggdo.com - Chinese
http://fre.tiggdo.com - French
http://hin.tiggdo.com - Hindi
http://ind.tiggdo.com - Indonesian
http://kyr.tiggdo.com - Kyrgyz
http://mac.tiggdo.com - Macedonian
http://per.tiggdo.com - Persian
http://por.tiggdo.com - Portuguese
http://rus.tiggdo.com - Russian
http://ser.tiggdo.com - Serbian
http://spa.tiggdo.com - Spanish
http://tur.tiggdo.com - Turkish
http://urd.tiggdo.com - Urdu
http://uzb.tiggdo.com - Uzbek
http://vie.tiggdo.com - Vietnamese
Could be useful for your site.
Create your Free mobile website today with zinadoo - Create your FREE mobile service today.
Create your Free mobile website today with zinadoo - Create your FREE mobile service today.
A template driven mobile site generator. They keep SPAMing to write something about them so here it is.
Mobile sites are growing in popularity, but mainly for bigger operations and I'm not convinced there's a big consumer market out there how want such a service. Zinadoo seem to make their money selling .mobi domains and SMS services (where links can be put on a site to text friends and such like).
The basic service is free so have a look and maybe it'll have some kind of interest.
A template driven mobile site generator. They keep SPAMing to write something about them so here it is.
Mobile sites are growing in popularity, but mainly for bigger operations and I'm not convinced there's a big consumer market out there how want such a service. Zinadoo seem to make their money selling .mobi domains and SMS services (where links can be put on a site to text friends and such like).
The basic service is free so have a look and maybe it'll have some kind of interest.
Tandberg TV go for $1.39bn
Ericsson is trying to buy Tandberg for $1.39bn, though ARRIS may yet up their bid.
Tandberg used to specialise in videoconferencing systems, though have moved in to the IPTV world and that's where the big money is going to be. Everyone will be watching TV through an internet connected set top box and everyone wants to be in that space.
Cisco bought Scientific Atlanta for the same reason.
Though IPTV is in its infancy, it's the future and everyone knows it - though the business models (and infrastructure) are still big unknowns. However the big players know they've got to do something now so they're in a position to grab the market when it does take off.
It's a big gamble, but one that is likely to pay off in the long term.
Tandberg used to specialise in videoconferencing systems, though have moved in to the IPTV world and that's where the big money is going to be. Everyone will be watching TV through an internet connected set top box and everyone wants to be in that space.
Cisco bought Scientific Atlanta for the same reason.
Though IPTV is in its infancy, it's the future and everyone knows it - though the business models (and infrastructure) are still big unknowns. However the big players know they've got to do something now so they're in a position to grab the market when it does take off.
It's a big gamble, but one that is likely to pay off in the long term.
Microsoft fined $1.5B in patent suit
Digit Online
This is scary, very scary !!! Not even because the evil empire of Microsoft is involved, but because it's about MP3 encoding and decoding technology.
Pretty much everyone pays licenses to Fraunhofer who are the recognised body that collects royalties for MP3 patents, if the lawsuit sticks (and MS are appealing) then Alcatel-Lucent can attack every other MP3 licensee.
This is scary, very scary !!! Not even because the evil empire of Microsoft is involved, but because it's about MP3 encoding and decoding technology.
Pretty much everyone pays licenses to Fraunhofer who are the recognised body that collects royalties for MP3 patents, if the lawsuit sticks (and MS are appealing) then Alcatel-Lucent can attack every other MP3 licensee.
MyWebAlert - Website Availability Monitoring Service for only $4 a month
MyWebAlert - Website Availability Monitoring Service for only $4 a month
Hype or something useful? Well it's free (even though their page title [as above] states $4 per month), a service that monitors websites by testing http responses etc.
Though there's no mention of money, presumably there'll be a piad for version in the future.
The results of their probes are Emailed to you once per month, it does all seem very painless.
Hype or something useful? Well it's free (even though their page title [as above] states $4 per month), a service that monitors websites by testing http responses etc.
Though there's no mention of money, presumably there'll be a piad for version in the future.
The results of their probes are Emailed to you once per month, it does all seem very painless.
3G Rollout obligations | Ofcom
3G Rollout obligations | Ofcom
Ofcom has published a document re-iterating that 3G licensees must meet their rollout requirements as part of the license obligations (80% population coverage by the end of 2007).
This new document states how Ofcom will measure the rollouts and a timetable etc.
Hutchison 3 have been very vocal about this as they have had to build a network from scratch while the other operators already have 2G networks.
Vodafone and Orange have said they will share infrastructure (which will reduce costs in marginal areas).
Ofcom has published a document re-iterating that 3G licensees must meet their rollout requirements as part of the license obligations (80% population coverage by the end of 2007).
This new document states how Ofcom will measure the rollouts and a timetable etc.
Hutchison 3 have been very vocal about this as they have had to build a network from scratch while the other operators already have 2G networks.
Vodafone and Orange have said they will share infrastructure (which will reduce costs in marginal areas).
WRC 07 agenda item 1.4 | Ofcom
WRC 07 agenda item 1.4 | Ofcom
There are several bands that could be committed for IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) use and these are being discussed at the World Radio Communication Conference 2007.
410 to 430 MHz Bands which are attractive for the coverage extension of current IMT-2000 systems
450 to 470 MHz
470 to 862 MHz Coverage extension and possibly providing capacity requirements
2300 to 2400 MHz Bands which are attractive for providing the capacity requirements for IMT-Advanced
2700 to 2900 MHz
3400 to 3600 MHz
3600 to 3800 MHz
3800 to 4200 MHz
4400 to 4990 MHz
Ofcom is proposing that
* to support efforts to keep the IMT-Advanced family as open and flexible as possible;
* to support a non-binding identification of spectrum for IMT but keep this as generic as possible (i.e. for IMT rather than IMT-Advanced);
* to support changing existing identifications from IMT-2000 to IMT to foster greater flexibility in their use;
* to support the development of a European Common Proposal for a primary mobile service allocation in the band 470 to 862 MHz at WRC 07 and a Resolution for ITU R to study the band for an identification for IMT at WRC 11;
* to support the development of a European Common Proposal for a co-primary allocation to the mobile service and identification for IMT in the bands 3400 to 3600 MHz and 3600 to 3800 MHz;
* to oppose any change to the allocations or a IMT identification in the band 2700 to 2900 MHz at WRC-07; and
* to adopt a neutral approach to the remaining candidate bands.
Ofcom are expecting response to be in within 5 weeks to be in time for CEPT meetings of the Electronic Communications Committee Project Team 1 (ECC PT1) and the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) in April, where Ofcom expect ECP’s to be finalised.
There are several bands that could be committed for IMT (International Mobile Telecommunications) use and these are being discussed at the World Radio Communication Conference 2007.
410 to 430 MHz Bands which are attractive for the coverage extension of current IMT-2000 systems
450 to 470 MHz
470 to 862 MHz Coverage extension and possibly providing capacity requirements
2300 to 2400 MHz Bands which are attractive for providing the capacity requirements for IMT-Advanced
2700 to 2900 MHz
3400 to 3600 MHz
3600 to 3800 MHz
3800 to 4200 MHz
4400 to 4990 MHz
Ofcom is proposing that
* to support efforts to keep the IMT-Advanced family as open and flexible as possible;
* to support a non-binding identification of spectrum for IMT but keep this as generic as possible (i.e. for IMT rather than IMT-Advanced);
* to support changing existing identifications from IMT-2000 to IMT to foster greater flexibility in their use;
* to support the development of a European Common Proposal for a primary mobile service allocation in the band 470 to 862 MHz at WRC 07 and a Resolution for ITU R to study the band for an identification for IMT at WRC 11;
* to support the development of a European Common Proposal for a co-primary allocation to the mobile service and identification for IMT in the bands 3400 to 3600 MHz and 3600 to 3800 MHz;
* to oppose any change to the allocations or a IMT identification in the band 2700 to 2900 MHz at WRC-07; and
* to adopt a neutral approach to the remaining candidate bands.
Ofcom are expecting response to be in within 5 weeks to be in time for CEPT meetings of the Electronic Communications Committee Project Team 1 (ECC PT1) and the Conference Preparatory Group (CPG) in April, where Ofcom expect ECP’s to be finalised.
2007/02/22
Apple, Cisco settle iPhone dispute
Digit Online: "Apple, Cisco settle iPhone dispute"
Apple and Cisco have agreed that they'll both use the iPhone moniker for their respective products. They settled out of court. No suprise there really.
They'd been in discussion prior to Apple's announcement, during and since and it's just taken a while to come to an agreement.
Apple and Cisco have agreed that they'll both use the iPhone moniker for their respective products. They settled out of court. No suprise there really.
They'd been in discussion prior to Apple's announcement, during and since and it's just taken a while to come to an agreement.
2007/02/21
Colt lacks plan for its £1.5m mobile licence - ZDNet UK
Colt lacks plan for its £1.5m mobile licence - ZDNet UK
Hmm, no attribution though the guy used info off this blog and then phoned me.
Hmm, no attribution though the guy used info off this blog and then phoned me.
xda-developers - Announcements in Forum : Palm Treo 750
xda-developers - Announcements in Forum : Palm Treo 750
It seems Microsoft have asked the XDA Developers site to remove all ROM images from their site, even ones posted by carriers or handset manufacturers.
The XDA site had various official and unofficial Windows Mobile ROM sets, and hacks on how to use them on various handsets.
I successfully installed an iMate WM5 ROM onto an O2 Exec - which has improved stability compared to the O2 versions (later OS and drivers). Luckily I have the WM6 XDA ROM which I'll have to try and install soon.
It seems Microsoft have asked the XDA Developers site to remove all ROM images from their site, even ones posted by carriers or handset manufacturers.
The XDA site had various official and unofficial Windows Mobile ROM sets, and hacks on how to use them on various handsets.
I successfully installed an iMate WM5 ROM onto an O2 Exec - which has improved stability compared to the O2 versions (later OS and drivers). Luckily I have the WM6 XDA ROM which I'll have to try and install soon.
2007/02/19
Microsoft unveils public beta of YouTube rival
Digit Online
Microsoft have released Soapbox (beta) a video sharing site like YouTube. Anyone can view content, but you need a Microsoft Live ID to upload stuff.
It's another web services offering banded in with other Live applications, but currently branded with MSN.
Microsoft have released Soapbox (beta) a video sharing site like YouTube. Anyone can view content, but you need a Microsoft Live ID to upload stuff.
It's another web services offering banded in with other Live applications, but currently branded with MSN.
Adobe ships Photoshop Lightroom
Digit Online
Adobe's answer to Apple Apperture, now called Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has started shipping for $199 which will increase to $299 on April 30th. Adobe say it will not be included in future versions of Creative Suite.
Lightroom is a photographic workflow application now supporting over 150 cameras (with native RAW formats) allowing the user to manipulate digital photographs in a manner similar to that of an old lightroom for film.
It's natively available on both Windows and MacOS X.
Adobe's answer to Apple Apperture, now called Adobe Photoshop Lightroom has started shipping for $199 which will increase to $299 on April 30th. Adobe say it will not be included in future versions of Creative Suite.
Lightroom is a photographic workflow application now supporting over 150 cameras (with native RAW formats) allowing the user to manipulate digital photographs in a manner similar to that of an old lightroom for film.
It's natively available on both Windows and MacOS X.
Parallels Desktop improves Vista support
Digit Online
Parallels, the software for MacOS X that allows running Windows within the desktop has been upgraded to RC3 build 3170 (which will be 2.5 when released).
This has several new features including coherence that allows running Windows apps from the dock. It also supports Vista.
The download is available from the Parallels website.
Parallels, the software for MacOS X that allows running Windows within the desktop has been upgraded to RC3 build 3170 (which will be 2.5 when released).
This has several new features including coherence that allows running Windows apps from the dock. It also supports Vista.
The download is available from the Parallels website.
2007/02/18
PUBLIC BROADBAND SCHEMES, A Best Practice Guide
Ofcom and the DTI have published a guide on the rolling out of public broadband services by local government.
This should aid councils and other bodies with the regulatory environment ensuring they don't break state aid regulations and other issues such as distorting the commercial market place.
There are times when state funding can "pay" for broadband roll-out to ensure that their locality is on the right side of the digital divide (which may in in areas where commercial broadband roll-out would be uneconomic), but this can be a difficult line to tread as stimulating demand may make commercial services attractive.
The three main rationales for public intervention in broadband infrastructure provision can be ordered in terms of the ease with which the case to support them can be built:
A. Addressing market failures.
B. Achieving distributional policy objectives.
C. Increasing regional competitiveness.
The report gives contacts at both the DTI and Ofcom if public bodies wish to contact them for more detailed information or help.
Band III Information Update
Band III is makes up what used to be the VHF TV channels and some of the band is now used by Private Mobile Radio.
The Band was covered by the Stockholm ’61 Agreement which designated this band for TV broadcast across the EU.
The band is actually split into 3 sub-bands, the lower two being used for PMR in the UK and the 3rd being made available for use by T-DAB. The PMR use was always designated secondary use, though some bilateral agreements were made with neighbouring countries to extend its lifetime.
In May/June 2006 the Regional Radiocommunications Conference (RRC-06) which is made up of around 120 ITU member states in Europe, Middle East and Africa, had an objective to harmonise the Band III (and Band IV) use. Though the UK had an interest to maintain their interestes, they could not go against the wishes of the rest of the conference.
Sub-band 1 will be available for PMR use for a while (though the lowe parts will be needed by 2009 for T-DAB use), sub-band 2 will be used for T-DAB significantly after 2012.
Ofcom is actively moving sub-band 2 and affected sub-band 1 users and giving them priority on new available spectrum in sub-band 1, new users may be delayed allocations.
Where possible new bilateral agreements will be made with neighbouring countries to protect users of the spectrum, the main affected areas being the south and south east which are prone to continental interference. There may also be interference from Ireland.
2007/02/14
Ofcom introduces UK-wide 03 numbers | Ofcom
Ofcom introduces UK-wide 03 numbers | Ofcom
In March this year (2007) Ofcom will introduce a range of numbers starting with 03. These are non-geographic numbers, but they are charged at local rate (like 01 or 02 numbers).
Initially they will be available to public bodies and not-for-profit services, some number ranges will be reserved so 08 numbers will be able to be mapped across (i.e. numbers starting 08 now will be able to migrate to 03).
A major advantage of 03 numbers is that they can be included in price plans (mobile or fixed), so no more extra charges for dialing some kind of service line.
Operators will also not be allowed to offer revenue share on these numbers (i.e. where the operator pays a small percentage of the call revenue to the business operating the service).
Ofcom is also planning to cease 070 "personal numbering" allocations from the end of 2007, as people utilise these for scams as customers assume they are mobile numbers (when in fact their rates are much higher). In July any 070 charging more than 20p per minute will have to pre-announce their charges to the dialer.
These require changes to General Condition 17 (of the Communications Act) so Ofcom is holding a consultation until 14th March 2007.
In March this year (2007) Ofcom will introduce a range of numbers starting with 03. These are non-geographic numbers, but they are charged at local rate (like 01 or 02 numbers).
Initially they will be available to public bodies and not-for-profit services, some number ranges will be reserved so 08 numbers will be able to be mapped across (i.e. numbers starting 08 now will be able to migrate to 03).
A major advantage of 03 numbers is that they can be included in price plans (mobile or fixed), so no more extra charges for dialing some kind of service line.
Operators will also not be allowed to offer revenue share on these numbers (i.e. where the operator pays a small percentage of the call revenue to the business operating the service).
Ofcom is also planning to cease 070 "personal numbering" allocations from the end of 2007, as people utilise these for scams as customers assume they are mobile numbers (when in fact their rates are much higher). In July any 070 charging more than 20p per minute will have to pre-announce their charges to the dialer.
These require changes to General Condition 17 (of the Communications Act) so Ofcom is holding a consultation until 14th March 2007.
Disputes between T-Mobile and BT and BT and each of Hutchison 3G Ltd, Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd and Vodafone Ltd relating to call termination rates | Ofcom
Disputes between T-Mobile and BT and BT and each of Hutchison 3G Ltd, Orange Personal Communications Services Ltd and Vodafone Ltd relating to call termination rates | Ofcom
BT, being the UK encumbant, handles a large ammount of UK termination - especially for foreign operators. They offer what's known as blended rates, which mean they will offer fixed charges for geographic, non geographic and mobile ranges even if invidual charges differ (i.e. there are differences say between mobile carrier termination charges).
Now operators want to charge BT higher rates as they say they have higher charges incurred to deliver 3G calls compared to 2G (GSM) calls and BT are disputing this with Ofcom.
The MNOs (mobile network operators) are very wary of termination as they see this as a cash cow, currently it's considerably cheaper to get retail bundles of mobile minutes than wholesale, so fixed to network charges sustain a lot of their margin.
They have been very wary of the new low power GSM "Guard Band" licensees - even though Ofcom consider them fully fledged GSM networks. Some even refusing to switch their number blocks (even though they are allocated by Ofcom), though that situation seems to be changing. Mobile operators who want to offer say WiFi mobile services are not having such luck.
Another issue is number portability, currently the number porting system is run by the MNOs and only available to the MNOs. Anyone wishing to participate in MNP (mobile number porting) has to get permission from all existing MNOs and anyone has the power of veto. So far they are not accepting number porting from anyone else. Ofcom seem to be taking a positive view on this (in that the MNOs will have to allow other operators), but it could take a while.
The MNOs want to keep control of their customers and networks and new entrants could pose a huge issue for them and they're scared.
If new entrants can offer flexible, innovative services then the MNOs should be worried.
BT, being the UK encumbant, handles a large ammount of UK termination - especially for foreign operators. They offer what's known as blended rates, which mean they will offer fixed charges for geographic, non geographic and mobile ranges even if invidual charges differ (i.e. there are differences say between mobile carrier termination charges).
Now operators want to charge BT higher rates as they say they have higher charges incurred to deliver 3G calls compared to 2G (GSM) calls and BT are disputing this with Ofcom.
The MNOs (mobile network operators) are very wary of termination as they see this as a cash cow, currently it's considerably cheaper to get retail bundles of mobile minutes than wholesale, so fixed to network charges sustain a lot of their margin.
They have been very wary of the new low power GSM "Guard Band" licensees - even though Ofcom consider them fully fledged GSM networks. Some even refusing to switch their number blocks (even though they are allocated by Ofcom), though that situation seems to be changing. Mobile operators who want to offer say WiFi mobile services are not having such luck.
Another issue is number portability, currently the number porting system is run by the MNOs and only available to the MNOs. Anyone wishing to participate in MNP (mobile number porting) has to get permission from all existing MNOs and anyone has the power of veto. So far they are not accepting number porting from anyone else. Ofcom seem to be taking a positive view on this (in that the MNOs will have to allow other operators), but it could take a while.
The MNOs want to keep control of their customers and networks and new entrants could pose a huge issue for them and they're scared.
If new entrants can offer flexible, innovative services then the MNOs should be worried.
Draft 2.0 802.11n moves forward - FierceWifi-Wifi news, WiMAX news, muni WiFi & wireless broadband news
Draft 2.0 802.11n moves forward - FierceWifi-Wifi news, WiMAX news, muni WiFi & wireless broadband news
The move towards a full 802.11n specification moves forward with Draft 2.0 of the standard.
It still has to get 75% of the vote (of around 600 members of the SIG).
Compatability is a major part of the spec, so it can co-exist with 802.11b/g networks.
Although it's a step in the right direction, the final specification isn't expected until October 2008.
The move towards a full 802.11n specification moves forward with Draft 2.0 of the standard.
It still has to get 75% of the vote (of around 600 members of the SIG).
Compatability is a major part of the spec, so it can co-exist with 802.11b/g networks.
Although it's a step in the right direction, the final specification isn't expected until October 2008.
2007/02/12
AMD extends GEODE range
AMD acquired the Geode processor from National Semiconductor and they've been pushing it as an embedded x86 processor. A new version is faster but still only spits out 1.5W which means it can be used fanless.
They've also made improvements to other lines to allow them to be embedded to such as the Opteron CPU.
AMD wants to be a leader in that market and take some of the dominance away from ARM and other vendors.
They've also made improvements to other lines to allow them to be embedded to such as the Opteron CPU.
AMD wants to be a leader in that market and take some of the dominance away from ARM and other vendors.
First look at Windows Mobile 6
Digit Online
What Digit seem to have missed is the added technology features, but maybe Microsoft didn't show them.
A friend installed a version of Windows Mobile 6 on his MDA (HTC Universal), it now supports USB slave functionality (i.e. it appears as a disk) and USB host functionality (i.e. disks can be attached to it).
A neat feature is the WiFi access point mode. What this means is that phone (GPRS/3G) can be used as a wireless modem and the WiFi in the unit which is usually in client mode turned into AP mode, so other systems can access connectivity through WM6.
WM6 also has a bigger memory model and can handle more processes.
What Digit seem to have missed is the added technology features, but maybe Microsoft didn't show them.
A friend installed a version of Windows Mobile 6 on his MDA (HTC Universal), it now supports USB slave functionality (i.e. it appears as a disk) and USB host functionality (i.e. disks can be attached to it).
A neat feature is the WiFi access point mode. What this means is that phone (GPRS/3G) can be used as a wireless modem and the WiFi in the unit which is usually in client mode turned into AP mode, so other systems can access connectivity through WM6.
WM6 also has a bigger memory model and can handle more processes.
2007/02/05
Apple - Support - Downloads - iTunes Repair Tool for Vista 1.0
Apple - Support - Downloads - iTunes Repair Tool for Vista 1.0
Apple have released a repair tool for users of iTunes under Windows Vista as certain files may be corrupted and Apple protected content from the iTunes store may not play on iPods.
Apple are asking users to wait for the next version of iTunes to be released (in a few weeks) before upgrading to Vista, while Microsoft are saying users shouldn't wait and will help vendors make software compatible.
iTunes has had odd errors since version 7 and Apple are slowly making it work correctly.
Of course users of iTunes on MacOS X have none of these problems.
Apple have released a repair tool for users of iTunes under Windows Vista as certain files may be corrupted and Apple protected content from the iTunes store may not play on iPods.
Apple are asking users to wait for the next version of iTunes to be released (in a few weeks) before upgrading to Vista, while Microsoft are saying users shouldn't wait and will help vendors make software compatible.
iTunes has had odd errors since version 7 and Apple are slowly making it work correctly.
Of course users of iTunes on MacOS X have none of these problems.
2007/02/02
NTL:Telewest now Virgin
The Telewest TVDrive box was on channel 999 this morning to a new look Virgin branding. The old blue background with yellow lettering is now black with yellow with a nice Virgin logo at the top of the screen.
The TVDrive seems to be referenced as the V.box and it's all under Virgin TV.
It looks nicer at least, though pretty much the same fucntionality though the guides have been slightly revamped.
Whether it makes a difference to subscriber numbers is another matter, though the Virgin brand is more loved.
The TVDrive seems to be referenced as the V.box and it's all under Virgin TV.
It looks nicer at least, though pretty much the same fucntionality though the guides have been slightly revamped.
Whether it makes a difference to subscriber numbers is another matter, though the Virgin brand is more loved.
2007/02/01
MobileTechNews - u-blox to Unveil New Galileo-Ready GPS Chip at 3GSM
MobileTechNews - u-blox to Unveil New Galileo-Ready GPS Chip at 3GSM
A new chip has been announced by u-blox a Swiss company that will support GPS and Gallileo while using less than 50mW.
It has a sensitivity of -160dBm enabling indoor use and will scan 50 channels. It also acquires signals in less than 1 second.
The dawn of everything having a GPS device in it is approaching.
A new chip has been announced by u-blox a Swiss company that will support GPS and Gallileo while using less than 50mW.
It has a sensitivity of -160dBm enabling indoor use and will scan 50 channels. It also acquires signals in less than 1 second.
The dawn of everything having a GPS device in it is approaching.
NTL:Telewest starts rebranding Virgin Media
Yesterday post arrived from the Virgin Media explaining the shiny new services (which aren't really new) and that you'll now be able to get TV, Internet, voice and mobile from the same company.
They are now all subsuming into Virgin Media, though Virgin Mobile will still be just that.
Even Email addresses will change, though customers have the option of keeping their old NTL or Telewest addresses.
The major real change is that there's now just one bill for all Virgin services.
Currently cable has a major advantage of really being able to offer a quad play and converged services all down one pipe, but they don't have the money to expand the network so may well use local loop unbundling or even wireless to extend coverage.
They are now all subsuming into Virgin Media, though Virgin Mobile will still be just that.
Even Email addresses will change, though customers have the option of keeping their old NTL or Telewest addresses.
The major real change is that there's now just one bill for all Virgin services.
Currently cable has a major advantage of really being able to offer a quad play and converged services all down one pipe, but they don't have the money to expand the network so may well use local loop unbundling or even wireless to extend coverage.
Newer ships USB 2.0 Universal Drive Adapter
Digit Online
Sounds quite a useful gadget which supports USB 2.0 on one side and any form of 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive or optical drives with IDE, ATA, ATAPI or SATA interfaces.
It's designed so data can be moved off old internal drives on to a new one, it's not even a complete enclosure, just enough hardware to connect and power the drive, but for $24.85 it's a bargain.
Sounds quite a useful gadget which supports USB 2.0 on one side and any form of 2.5" or 3.5" hard drive or optical drives with IDE, ATA, ATAPI or SATA interfaces.
It's designed so data can be moved off old internal drives on to a new one, it's not even a complete enclosure, just enough hardware to connect and power the drive, but for $24.85 it's a bargain.
2007/01/31
LiMo or Mobile Linux
Motorola, NEC, Panasonic Mobile Communications and Samsung, and carriers NTT DoCoMo and Vodafone have got together to form the LiMo Foundatation to encourage Linux as operating system (with applications) for mobile devices.
Membership starts at $40,000 and goes up to $800,000 for big companies and allows access to code and contributions to it.
There's already several Linux variants out there and hopefully this will standardise things, though they might be fighting a losing battle now Symbian have added some POSIX capabilities to their OS.
It might do some hard to Microsoft who are winning inroads in to the mobile market with Windows Mobile.
Membership starts at $40,000 and goes up to $800,000 for big companies and allows access to code and contributions to it.
There's already several Linux variants out there and hopefully this will standardise things, though they might be fighting a losing battle now Symbian have added some POSIX capabilities to their OS.
It might do some hard to Microsoft who are winning inroads in to the mobile market with Windows Mobile.
ISO PDF anyone
Adobe is trying to get the PDF specification ratified as an ISO spec.
Initially the v1.7 specification is being submitted to Association for Information and Image Management with the hope they'll submit it to ISO to become an international standard.
Is it just a way to fend off Microsoft who are pushing their XML format for Office 2007?
Initially the v1.7 specification is being submitted to Association for Information and Image Management with the hope they'll submit it to ISO to become an international standard.
Is it just a way to fend off Microsoft who are pushing their XML format for Office 2007?
Photoshop Lightroom to ship this month
Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom (as was just Lightroom) is going to ship later this month. Available on both Macs and PCs (universal binary for Macs).
Adobe have made a big effort with a large public beta test as they're obviously going for the Apple Apperture market and the feedback does seem positive.
No pricing has been set yet.
Adobe have made a big effort with a large public beta test as they're obviously going for the Apple Apperture market and the feedback does seem positive.
No pricing has been set yet.
New Apple ads
Apple's starting splashing ads all over the space (MySpace in particular) starring comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
One plays Windows/PC and the other MacOS/Mac. They're pretty funny - in the vein of the Wii vs PS3 ads put out by Nintendo and putting Macs in a good light.
They're up on YouTube too.
One plays Windows/PC and the other MacOS/Mac. They're pretty funny - in the vein of the Wii vs PS3 ads put out by Nintendo and putting Macs in a good light.
They're up on YouTube too.
i-Mate JASJAR / O2 Exec
I've been having horrid problems with an O2 Exec (kept running out of memory).
The O2 MyXDA site doesn't seem to want to recognise the Exec exists anymore. Luckily I "found" a later version of the ROM for the JASJAR and with some other software that hacked it to make it non country specific, it installed nicely.
Seems to run much better, also installed Windows Live Messenger.
There's a copy of Windows CE 6 (crossbow) flying around which is meant to add further improvements, though MS haven't officially released it.
Anyway it seems much happier now.
Though I'm seriously tempted to go use a Mac rather than PC. There's even sync software for it and with Plaxo having a Mac client (only for contacts at the moment) it's almost possible to move completely away from Outlook.
The O2 MyXDA site doesn't seem to want to recognise the Exec exists anymore. Luckily I "found" a later version of the ROM for the JASJAR and with some other software that hacked it to make it non country specific, it installed nicely.
Seems to run much better, also installed Windows Live Messenger.
There's a copy of Windows CE 6 (crossbow) flying around which is meant to add further improvements, though MS haven't officially released it.
Anyway it seems much happier now.
Though I'm seriously tempted to go use a Mac rather than PC. There's even sync software for it and with Plaxo having a Mac client (only for contacts at the moment) it's almost possible to move completely away from Outlook.
Slimdevices Transporter installed
It's a very nice system. Currently just switched the Transporter for the Squeezebox (using another box to do the digital to analog). So far it doesn't sound any better, but then it's decompressing a digital signal and sending it out digitally, so it shouldn't really.
Next is removing the other DAC and using the Transporter for everything and then plug the CD into it and see if that makes a difference.
Next is removing the other DAC and using the Transporter for everything and then plug the CD into it and see if that makes a difference.
2007/01/24
Low power GSM goes live
Mapesbury Communications also known as MCOM today made their first GSM call. Last year they won a GSM Guard Band license (1 of 12 licensees).
The set-up used a pico-cell BTS (basestations) connected to a soft-BSC (basestation controller) which in turn was connected to a soft-MSC (mobile system controller) and then used SIP to their VOIP servers which connected to the telephony network.
It all seemed to work rather well.
The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) do not seem to be keen to allow them to interconnect with them, one even refusing to switch their Ofcom allocated number ranges as they're "not a real mobile network". Ofcom may not be too happy about it. In the meantime though they can offer private GSM services, just without roaming to the existing MNOs.
It seems plans will be to allow "free" calls to other MCOM users and any SIP users. Since connection to the PSTN isn't free, any PSTN calls will be charged for. This will also be true for calls to MCOM mobiles.
MCOM may set-up GSM "bubbles" or clouds, like current WiFi zones.
Low power GSM licensees could change the way people think about mobile pricing which is probably why the current MNO's are worried.
The set-up used a pico-cell BTS (basestations) connected to a soft-BSC (basestation controller) which in turn was connected to a soft-MSC (mobile system controller) and then used SIP to their VOIP servers which connected to the telephony network.
It all seemed to work rather well.
The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) do not seem to be keen to allow them to interconnect with them, one even refusing to switch their Ofcom allocated number ranges as they're "not a real mobile network". Ofcom may not be too happy about it. In the meantime though they can offer private GSM services, just without roaming to the existing MNOs.
It seems plans will be to allow "free" calls to other MCOM users and any SIP users. Since connection to the PSTN isn't free, any PSTN calls will be charged for. This will also be true for calls to MCOM mobiles.
MCOM may set-up GSM "bubbles" or clouds, like current WiFi zones.
Low power GSM licensees could change the way people think about mobile pricing which is probably why the current MNO's are worried.
Symbian OS - the mobile operating system
Symbian OS - the mobile operating system
Symbian have announced P.I.P.S (P.I.P.S. is POSIX on Symbian) which is a set of POSIX libraries for the Symbian OS. It should be available with v9.1.
The POSIX standard is a set of APIs and library that came out of UNIX and though Symbian haven't ported everything, they say it's enough to port standard desktop applications.
This could boost the number of applications available as Linux is POSIX compliant so developers should be able to port some of the millions of programs available in a relatively easy manner.
Symbian have announced P.I.P.S (P.I.P.S. is POSIX on Symbian) which is a set of POSIX libraries for the Symbian OS. It should be available with v9.1.
The POSIX standard is a set of APIs and library that came out of UNIX and though Symbian haven't ported everything, they say it's enough to port standard desktop applications.
This could boost the number of applications available as Linux is POSIX compliant so developers should be able to port some of the millions of programs available in a relatively easy manner.
Welcome to CSR plc
Welcome to CSR plc
Cambridge Silicon Radio have acuqired NordNav Technologies AB and the assets of Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd. This will allow them to add GPS hardware and/or software to their Bluecore range of Bluetooth chips. They say it will mean an increase in cost of less than $1 for the chips.
Since NordNav have a software GPS system, the software can be incorporated into the Bluecore code allowing for cheaper designs, while the CPS technology will allow increased GPS accuracy in built-up areas etc, but requires hardware.
CSR make half of all Bluetooth units for phones and this should allow more phones (which is trend anyway) to offer GPS capabilities.
Cambridge Silicon Radio have acuqired NordNav Technologies AB and the assets of Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd. This will allow them to add GPS hardware and/or software to their Bluecore range of Bluetooth chips. They say it will mean an increase in cost of less than $1 for the chips.
Since NordNav have a software GPS system, the software can be incorporated into the Bluecore code allowing for cheaper designs, while the CPS technology will allow increased GPS accuracy in built-up areas etc, but requires hardware.
CSR make half of all Bluetooth units for phones and this should allow more phones (which is trend anyway) to offer GPS capabilities.
Telecommunications Market Data Tables Q2 2006 | Ofcom
Telecommunications Market Data Tables Q2 2006 | Ofcom
BT are losing out heavily to the competition in many areas. In terms of access they used to control 80.6% in 2004 of the market but in Q2 '06 that fell to 73.7%.
BT's percentage of exchange lines also fell from 78.4% to 72.3%, call volumes (by minutes) from 65.9% to 54.1%.
In purely the residential market drops were even higher with falls in access from 78.8% to 72.0% and calls dropping from 66.7% to 57.8%. Exchange line connections went from 80.3% to 73.5% and call volumes dropped from 74.0% 60.2%.
In the business markets BT did rather better with access dropping from 83.3% to 76.4% while calls volumes actually went up from 49.0% to 49.7%.
In terms on broadband connections BT's only lost .1% (from 23.6% to 23.5%), though LLU made a huge change (from 36,000 unbundled lines to 847,000) cable went up by 1m but BT's numbers went up from 6m to 12.2m connections.
So it seems in the business markets BT is holding on to it's customers, but losing out in the residential sector.
In terms of mobile customers it's O2 (16,814), then T-Mobile (16,730), Orange (14,951) and Vodafone (13,873). In terms of revenue per customer it's Vodafone (64.7), O2 (54.0), Orange (48.9) and T-Mobile (39.9).
Volumes of SMS and MMS are grouped together (the networks don't want MMS figures published seperately as they're so poor) and O2 are way ahead of the pack on this - though that's probably as they do a lot of fixed to mobile SMS services to the other networks (what was O2 Online or Genie). Volumes/Revenues were Vodafone (2,033/£144m), O2 (4,378/£240m), T-Mobile (1,293/£94m) and Orange (2,040/£110m).
Figures for 3 aren't in the report.
BT are losing out heavily to the competition in many areas. In terms of access they used to control 80.6% in 2004 of the market but in Q2 '06 that fell to 73.7%.
BT's percentage of exchange lines also fell from 78.4% to 72.3%, call volumes (by minutes) from 65.9% to 54.1%.
In purely the residential market drops were even higher with falls in access from 78.8% to 72.0% and calls dropping from 66.7% to 57.8%. Exchange line connections went from 80.3% to 73.5% and call volumes dropped from 74.0% 60.2%.
In the business markets BT did rather better with access dropping from 83.3% to 76.4% while calls volumes actually went up from 49.0% to 49.7%.
In terms on broadband connections BT's only lost .1% (from 23.6% to 23.5%), though LLU made a huge change (from 36,000 unbundled lines to 847,000) cable went up by 1m but BT's numbers went up from 6m to 12.2m connections.
So it seems in the business markets BT is holding on to it's customers, but losing out in the residential sector.
In terms of mobile customers it's O2 (16,814), then T-Mobile (16,730), Orange (14,951) and Vodafone (13,873). In terms of revenue per customer it's Vodafone (64.7), O2 (54.0), Orange (48.9) and T-Mobile (39.9).
Volumes of SMS and MMS are grouped together (the networks don't want MMS figures published seperately as they're so poor) and O2 are way ahead of the pack on this - though that's probably as they do a lot of fixed to mobile SMS services to the other networks (what was O2 Online or Genie). Volumes/Revenues were Vodafone (2,033/£144m), O2 (4,378/£240m), T-Mobile (1,293/£94m) and Orange (2,040/£110m).
Figures for 3 aren't in the report.
2007/01/23
BT kill broadband, then phone
Last week my ADSL died for no apparent reason. I use a non-BT ISP so had to go through them to get it fixed.
Eventually BT agreed to investigate and an engineer was booked for Saturday. At 11.20 I got a call that they were on the way to the premises and would be there in 20 minutes. By the time I got back they'd left a message to say the problem was fixed. Unfortunately it wasn't and now as well as the ADSL not working, they'd killed the phone line too.
Of course I couldn't report the ADSL to BT as I had to go through my ISP, so I did and the line now clearly showed a fault.
However as the voice line was also dead I could use BT's automated system and it did indeed notice an exchange fault.
I went out and returned about 4pm and there was an engineer checking the junction box. He was just about to go (not his fault). He then fitted a tone generator to the master socket and went off to trace the line. On his return hw said "the last engineer cut the lines in the street cabinet", how that meant they've fixed the line I've no idea.
Anyway the 2nd engineer put it all back and everything sprung back to life.
Being without ADSL for a week was painfull.
Eventually BT agreed to investigate and an engineer was booked for Saturday. At 11.20 I got a call that they were on the way to the premises and would be there in 20 minutes. By the time I got back they'd left a message to say the problem was fixed. Unfortunately it wasn't and now as well as the ADSL not working, they'd killed the phone line too.
Of course I couldn't report the ADSL to BT as I had to go through my ISP, so I did and the line now clearly showed a fault.
However as the voice line was also dead I could use BT's automated system and it did indeed notice an exchange fault.
I went out and returned about 4pm and there was an engineer checking the junction box. He was just about to go (not his fault). He then fitted a tone generator to the master socket and went off to trace the line. On his return hw said "the last engineer cut the lines in the street cabinet", how that meant they've fixed the line I've no idea.
Anyway the 2nd engineer put it all back and everything sprung back to life.
Being without ADSL for a week was painfull.
2007/01/22
Apple users to pay $1.99 for 802.11n
Digit Online
Apple has stated it will charge users $1.99 to enable the 802.11n WiFi in Intel based Macs. Users have already discovered that new Macs had 802.11n chipsets, but they were being used in g mode.
With the release of Apple's new 802.11n basestation (or Access Point) Macs can take advantage of higher speeds etc but the software needs to be installed to enable it. Apple say they need to make the charge in-line with accounting regulations.
New Macs will have 802.11n enabled by default.
Apple has stated it will charge users $1.99 to enable the 802.11n WiFi in Intel based Macs. Users have already discovered that new Macs had 802.11n chipsets, but they were being used in g mode.
With the release of Apple's new 802.11n basestation (or Access Point) Macs can take advantage of higher speeds etc but the software needs to be installed to enable it. Apple say they need to make the charge in-line with accounting regulations.
New Macs will have 802.11n enabled by default.
2007/01/15
Slimdevices Transporter
It's still in the box, but working out how to plug-in and make best use of it. Though of course it's a music streamer (supports lots of formats with the latest Slimserver) it also has digital inputs so can take a CD and other devices.
More info as it comes.
More info as it comes.
Sandisk V-Mate
The Sandisk V-Mate arrived today, it's a little unit with external plug-PSU that connects to a video source and TV.
It only supports composite video, so quality will never be amazing, but as it's designed to work with portable players (like Sandisk's Sansa range or Sony's PSP) that should be too important.
It records to multiple memory card formats (Memory Stick Duo, SD Card, MicroSD etc) in various video codecs and formats: -
Codecs: MPEG-4 Simple Profile, H.263
Formats: MP4, 3GP, 3G2
Resolution: Up to 640x480 pixels
Frame Rate: Up to 30fps
TV Formats: NTSC & PAL
Depending on the which format and resolution is chosen it can store up to 3.5hours of video per GB.
It also has an IR emitter which can be used to change channel on a set-top-box or other video source.
It's a quirky thing but with the flood of video compatible portable players it could have a relatively big market - allowing users to watch programs they've missed on their daily commute.
US pricing is $129, so about £100 over in the UK.
It only supports composite video, so quality will never be amazing, but as it's designed to work with portable players (like Sandisk's Sansa range or Sony's PSP) that should be too important.
It records to multiple memory card formats (Memory Stick Duo, SD Card, MicroSD etc) in various video codecs and formats: -
Codecs: MPEG-4 Simple Profile, H.263
Formats: MP4, 3GP, 3G2
Resolution: Up to 640x480 pixels
Frame Rate: Up to 30fps
TV Formats: NTSC & PAL
Depending on the which format and resolution is chosen it can store up to 3.5hours of video per GB.
It also has an IR emitter which can be used to change channel on a set-top-box or other video source.
It's a quirky thing but with the flood of video compatible portable players it could have a relatively big market - allowing users to watch programs they've missed on their daily commute.
US pricing is $129, so about £100 over in the UK.
2007/01/12
Craigsnumber:: Auto expiring. FREE anonymous phone numbers for online safety.
Craigsnumber:: Auto expiring. FREE anonymous phone numbers for online safety.
Information about the site is almost non-available, the owner is not saying anything until their lawyer has given them the ok.
It allows a temporary number allocation that will re-direct to another number. You can then publish the Craigsnumber on listing sites (like Craigslist). After a time the number will expire.
Craigslist offer this now but for Email addresses, this adds the ability to publish an anonymous phone number too.
Numbers can be selected to expire after 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month. You can pick an area code in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Pheonix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
You then get a number and extension which you can publish and will be redirected to your number (which you also enter).
Craigslist and Craigsnumber are unrelated.
Information about the site is almost non-available, the owner is not saying anything until their lawyer has given them the ok.
It allows a temporary number allocation that will re-direct to another number. You can then publish the Craigsnumber on listing sites (like Craigslist). After a time the number will expire.
Craigslist offer this now but for Email addresses, this adds the ability to publish an anonymous phone number too.
Numbers can be selected to expire after 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month. You can pick an area code in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Pheonix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
You then get a number and extension which you can publish and will be redirected to your number (which you also enter).
Craigslist and Craigsnumber are unrelated.
2007/01/11
Belkin PureAV HDMI Interface 3-to-1 Video Switch | Reg Hardware
Belkin PureAV HDMI Interface 3-to-1 Video Switch | Reg Hardware
My review on El Reg. Nice little unit, recommended.
My review on El Reg. Nice little unit, recommended.
2007/01/09
Apple - QuickTime - Macworld 2007 Keynote
Apple - QuickTime - Macworld 2007 Keynote
Well it would be nice to watch it, but "Due to exceptional demand" it's currently unavailable, all those journos trying to get a scoop on the iPhone, maybe a few potential customers too.
It seems Apple's share price has jumped 3% on the announcement.
Well it would be nice to watch it, but "Due to exceptional demand" it's currently unavailable, all those journos trying to get a scoop on the iPhone, maybe a few potential customers too.
It seems Apple's share price has jumped 3% on the announcement.
Apple - iPhone
Apple - iPhone
Apple have at least announced the iPhone, though it's not available as such - it's not even FCC certified, but that's probably deliberate as most preliminary phone data comes from people monitoring FCC certification submission documents.
Not available until Q4 in the UK.
It runs MacOS X, how close that is to MacOS X on the desktop is debatable, though there's no reason it cant run the Mach kernel and BSD OS on top. Swap the Aqua interface for a phone version.
It comes with Email, Browsing, Phone and iPod apps, then there's what look like Dashboard widgets for everything else (or maybe Leopard's equivalent). There's also Google maps pre-installed.
Quad band GSM/GPRS with EDGE support on Sprint. 4G and 8GB versions for $499 and $599 respectiviely.
3.5" widescreen which is touch sensitive, 320 x 480 resolution. Also accelerometers to sense which way around it is to align the screen in the right direction. It's also position sensitive so the screen and display are turned off when it's near your ear (i.e. when using as a normal phone).
It looks extremely stylish and it's bound to be the phone of 2007.
Apple have at least announced the iPhone, though it's not available as such - it's not even FCC certified, but that's probably deliberate as most preliminary phone data comes from people monitoring FCC certification submission documents.
Not available until Q4 in the UK.
It runs MacOS X, how close that is to MacOS X on the desktop is debatable, though there's no reason it cant run the Mach kernel and BSD OS on top. Swap the Aqua interface for a phone version.
It comes with Email, Browsing, Phone and iPod apps, then there's what look like Dashboard widgets for everything else (or maybe Leopard's equivalent). There's also Google maps pre-installed.
Quad band GSM/GPRS with EDGE support on Sprint. 4G and 8GB versions for $499 and $599 respectiviely.
3.5" widescreen which is touch sensitive, 320 x 480 resolution. Also accelerometers to sense which way around it is to align the screen in the right direction. It's also position sensitive so the screen and display are turned off when it's near your ear (i.e. when using as a normal phone).
It looks extremely stylish and it's bound to be the phone of 2007.
2007/01/08
oqo
oqo have release the OQO model O2. It now has a VIA processor up to 1.5GHz, upto 1GB RAM and a 60GB disk.
The model O1 was a nice unit, but under powered, with only 512MB of RAM and a 30GB disk and a 1GHz Transmeta CPU.
It comes with Windows XP or Tablet edition 2005 and an option of Office 2007 Business Edition. It has WiFi (802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0 and US customers have an option of a built-in EV-DO module with a Sprint contract. Customers who purchase now get a free upgrade to Vista later this year, though not all of Vista's premium features are supported (like Aero).
Maybe this unit will actually be useful.
The model O1 was a nice unit, but under powered, with only 512MB of RAM and a 30GB disk and a 1GHz Transmeta CPU.
It comes with Windows XP or Tablet edition 2005 and an option of Office 2007 Business Edition. It has WiFi (802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0 and US customers have an option of a built-in EV-DO module with a Sprint contract. Customers who purchase now get a free upgrade to Vista later this year, though not all of Vista's premium features are supported (like Aero).
Maybe this unit will actually be useful.
2007/01/04
BT doesn't want broadband universal service obligations
BT is making noises about Universal Service Obligations for broadband, it's saying their not needed as broadband is available to most of the population.
It may be a case of smoke and mirrors as when they actually launch their 21CN it's all IP based, meaning IP to the home - which requires broadband (or some kind of IP connectivity). They'll need a wireless solution if they have to provide IP everywhere in the UK (rural areas wont work with DSL - well they will but slowly and Ofcom are likely to define reasonably high speed).
BT actually want to be able to provide high speed access as then they can provide VoIP and Video services (BT Vision) and to guarantee any kind of Quality of Service (QoS) BT want others to use their systems to deliver the content and so pay for the delivery channel (like Sky in the satellite world).
It's likely they want to provide it to customers who are profitable, rather than being forced to provide it to all and sundry even if they never spend a penny on the value add services BT will be pushing.
It may be a case of smoke and mirrors as when they actually launch their 21CN it's all IP based, meaning IP to the home - which requires broadband (or some kind of IP connectivity). They'll need a wireless solution if they have to provide IP everywhere in the UK (rural areas wont work with DSL - well they will but slowly and Ofcom are likely to define reasonably high speed).
BT actually want to be able to provide high speed access as then they can provide VoIP and Video services (BT Vision) and to guarantee any kind of Quality of Service (QoS) BT want others to use their systems to deliver the content and so pay for the delivery channel (like Sky in the satellite world).
It's likely they want to provide it to customers who are profitable, rather than being forced to provide it to all and sundry even if they never spend a penny on the value add services BT will be pushing.
Apple predictions for MacWorld 2007
Apple are very secret about future products, however some things are known.
* There's the iTV (codeword, not product name) system - which looks like an embedded iTunes player with various media interfaces.
* There's going to be some kind of phone/music player. I'd guess it'll be announced at MacWorld.
* Leopard, though not likely to be available until later in the year.
Then there's guessing.
* MacPro with Intel Quad cores making them extremely fast machines (as if they weren't already), also for the Xserve.
* Maybe (really hopefully) a 12 or 13" MacBook Pro. The only thing that lets down a MacBook is the graphics. It would be really useful to have a 12" MacBook for portability, but with the graphics power of the Pros.
* Video iPod with a touch screen, again maybe later in the year.
Only time will tell.
* There's the iTV (codeword, not product name) system - which looks like an embedded iTunes player with various media interfaces.
* There's going to be some kind of phone/music player. I'd guess it'll be announced at MacWorld.
* Leopard, though not likely to be available until later in the year.
Then there's guessing.
* MacPro with Intel Quad cores making them extremely fast machines (as if they weren't already), also for the Xserve.
* Maybe (really hopefully) a 12 or 13" MacBook Pro. The only thing that lets down a MacBook is the graphics. It would be really useful to have a 12" MacBook for portability, but with the graphics power of the Pros.
* Video iPod with a touch screen, again maybe later in the year.
Only time will tell.
Plastic Logic to build plastic displays
Digit Online
Platic Logic a company based in Cambridge is opening a factory in Dresden to produce flxible displays. These are similar to current TFT displays where the electronics (silicon)are deposited on to glass, but use semiconductor polymers in layers deposited on to flexible plastic sheets.
Current resolution is 150 dots per inch with 16 shades of grey (a 800 x 600 prototype was demonstrated in October of 2006) which will be produced in 2008 when the factory is in production, however colour displays will follow by 2010 with video capability in 2012.
They have raised $100m in financing.
This may well pave the way to truely portable ebooks and other displays and open up the market for portable display systems that have so far been limited to PDAs etc.
Platic Logic a company based in Cambridge is opening a factory in Dresden to produce flxible displays. These are similar to current TFT displays where the electronics (silicon)are deposited on to glass, but use semiconductor polymers in layers deposited on to flexible plastic sheets.
Current resolution is 150 dots per inch with 16 shades of grey (a 800 x 600 prototype was demonstrated in October of 2006) which will be produced in 2008 when the factory is in production, however colour displays will follow by 2010 with video capability in 2012.
They have raised $100m in financing.
This may well pave the way to truely portable ebooks and other displays and open up the market for portable display systems that have so far been limited to PDAs etc.
LG to show dual HD DVD/Blu-ray player
Digit Online
LG will demonstrate a dual HD DVD/Blu-Ray player at CES. HD DVD has been adopted by the DVD Forum and most Blu-Ray backers are already members so adding HD DVD to their drives should be possible.
HD DVD stores about 15GB per disk, while Blu-Ray allows up to 25GB per layer (50GB per disk).
This may kick-start the HD revolution, though consoles may initially drive sales.
LG will demonstrate a dual HD DVD/Blu-Ray player at CES. HD DVD has been adopted by the DVD Forum and most Blu-Ray backers are already members so adding HD DVD to their drives should be possible.
HD DVD stores about 15GB per disk, while Blu-Ray allows up to 25GB per layer (50GB per disk).
This may kick-start the HD revolution, though consoles may initially drive sales.
2007/01/02
Sony A100
The Sony DSLR-A100 is a 10.2MP camera. It's pretty fully featured and includes a very nice steady-shot system and a dust-removal system (that "shakes" or vibrates the sensor rapidly so dust particles fall off).
It fits well in the hand, with good access to the various control functions and a nice bright LCD (however it doesn't work for framing shots, you need to use the viewfinder for that). The only bad feature is that it feels very plasticy, the only bit of metal seems to be the front of the camera where the lens attaches.
The shutter delay is minimal (and really fast compared to compact digital cameras).
So far it seems a very good point and shoot that allows complete fexibility and lots of pro features if required.
It fits well in the hand, with good access to the various control functions and a nice bright LCD (however it doesn't work for framing shots, you need to use the viewfinder for that). The only bad feature is that it feels very plasticy, the only bit of metal seems to be the front of the camera where the lens attaches.
The shutter delay is minimal (and really fast compared to compact digital cameras).
So far it seems a very good point and shoot that allows complete fexibility and lots of pro features if required.
GMobileSync
GMobileSync
GMobileSync is a program to synchronise Windows Mobile 5 (Pocket PC and Smartphone) Calendar and Google Calendar using an Internet connection (which should work over WiFi, Wired or GPRS/3G).
Currently (v1.2) only supports a 1-way sync, but on Jan 8th v1.3 should be released which supports full 2-way synchronisation.
It's free and looks quite useful.
GMobileSync is a program to synchronise Windows Mobile 5 (Pocket PC and Smartphone) Calendar and Google Calendar using an Internet connection (which should work over WiFi, Wired or GPRS/3G).
Currently (v1.2) only supports a 1-way sync, but on Jan 8th v1.3 should be released which supports full 2-way synchronisation.
It's free and looks quite useful.
TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Here Comes Adobe Apollo
TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Here Comes Adobe Apollo
Sounds like a cool idea. Adobe already have the Flash base and can now expand on this to support other technologies like HTML, JavaScript and Ajax allowing a non-platform specific runtime that is platform independent.
If it takes off, buy Adobe shares as they'll be the default development platform of choice as they are now with Flash.
Sounds like a cool idea. Adobe already have the Flash base and can now expand on this to support other technologies like HTML, JavaScript and Ajax allowing a non-platform specific runtime that is platform independent.
If it takes off, buy Adobe shares as they'll be the default development platform of choice as they are now with Flash.
dodgeball.com :: mobile social software
dodgeball.com :: mobile social software
Only available in the US, if and when Google (who now own it) get their act together and make it worldwide then there's a good chance it will really take off.
Though possibly a huge market and room for other entrants in other countries if someone can get their act together quickly.
Only available in the US, if and when Google (who now own it) get their act together and make it worldwide then there's a good chance it will really take off.
Though possibly a huge market and room for other entrants in other countries if someone can get their act together quickly.
2006/12/19
Photoshop CS3 beta offers speed boost
Digit Online
Adobe have released a beta of Photoshop CS3. It will work for 2 days without a serial number, but it is completely functional. If a valid CS2 serial number is entered it will not expire (until the beta period ends in Spring of 2007 when the full product should be available).
It's a Universal Binary so will work natively on new Macs without going through Rosetta (Apple's PowerPC/Intel translator) which means a considerable speed increase.
It comes with Aobe Bridge and Device Central (which allows repurposing content to mobiles etc).
No pricing has been announced for the real product. Beta CS3 is also available in Windows format.
The biggest reason for Mac users not to upgrade has been the lack of Universal Binary Adobe products, this will not change and it'll be a good time to look for PowerBooks and G5's on Ebay.
Adobe have released a beta of Photoshop CS3. It will work for 2 days without a serial number, but it is completely functional. If a valid CS2 serial number is entered it will not expire (until the beta period ends in Spring of 2007 when the full product should be available).
It's a Universal Binary so will work natively on new Macs without going through Rosetta (Apple's PowerPC/Intel translator) which means a considerable speed increase.
It comes with Aobe Bridge and Device Central (which allows repurposing content to mobiles etc).
No pricing has been announced for the real product. Beta CS3 is also available in Windows format.
The biggest reason for Mac users not to upgrade has been the lack of Universal Binary Adobe products, this will not change and it'll be a good time to look for PowerBooks and G5's on Ebay.
ExpressCard 5-in-1 reader
Digit Online
GriffinTechnologies have announced an ExpressCard suitable for the Apple MacBook Pro that is a 5-in-1 memory card, it supports Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC) and xD-Picture card formats and other formats with adapters.
It costs £19.99 in the UK.
ExpressCard is really PCIe on a PC Card format but there is a shortage of products at the moment. Mac users are looking forward to 3G data cards coming out in this format.
GriffinTechnologies have announced an ExpressCard suitable for the Apple MacBook Pro that is a 5-in-1 memory card, it supports Memory Stick and Memory Stick Pro, Secure Digital (SD), MultiMediaCard (MMC) and xD-Picture card formats and other formats with adapters.
It costs £19.99 in the UK.
ExpressCard is really PCIe on a PC Card format but there is a shortage of products at the moment. Mac users are looking forward to 3G data cards coming out in this format.
Comments from Steve Kennedy - Wifi news, WiMAX news, muni WiFi and wireless broadband news in Fierce
Comments from Steve Kennedy - Wifi news, WiMAX news, muni WiFi and wireless broadband news in Fierce
FierceWiFi published some WiMAX related info in their newsletter, I commented and this was a comment to their new piece (and comments).
Thanks to Ben the editor for publishing them.
FierceWiFi published some WiMAX related info in their newsletter, I commented and this was a comment to their new piece (and comments).
Thanks to Ben the editor for publishing them.
2006/12/14
Digit Online
Digit Online
It's been a long time coming, but the RSC (Radio Spectrum Committee) which is made up of 22 EU member states has approved UWB in Europe. There are changes from the US approved version which was approved in 2002 (though no equipment is yet on the market).
Though the RSC has approved UWB it still has to go through EU formal legislation - which is expected in Feb 2007, member states then have 6 months to locally approve it.
It is still unclear on the restrictions that will be imposed on use, however it should allow short range equipment to operate at speeds of up to 480Mb/s suiting IPTV and other high bandwidth applications. It can be thought of as a short range wires replacement service.
It's been a long time coming, but the RSC (Radio Spectrum Committee) which is made up of 22 EU member states has approved UWB in Europe. There are changes from the US approved version which was approved in 2002 (though no equipment is yet on the market).
Though the RSC has approved UWB it still has to go through EU formal legislation - which is expected in Feb 2007, member states then have 6 months to locally approve it.
It is still unclear on the restrictions that will be imposed on use, however it should allow short range equipment to operate at speeds of up to 480Mb/s suiting IPTV and other high bandwidth applications. It can be thought of as a short range wires replacement service.
Ofcom Website | 1785-1805 MHz in Ireland and Northern Ireland
Ofcom Website | 1785-1805 MHz in Ireland and Northern Ireland
This is a 20MHz unpaired band. Ofcom are publishing regulations for the band in conjunction with ComReg in Ireland.
Licensees will have to co-ordinate with GSM 1800 users who neighbour this band.
This only covers Northern Ireland and Ireland.
This is a 20MHz unpaired band. Ofcom are publishing regulations for the band in conjunction with ComReg in Ireland.
Licensees will have to co-ordinate with GSM 1800 users who neighbour this band.
This only covers Northern Ireland and Ireland.
Switching broadband provider | Ofcom
Switching broadband provider | Ofcom
From Feb 14th 2007 broadband providers will have to supply consumers with a MAC upon request and free of charge. The MAC is the Migration Authorisation Code and allows a consumer to change broadband providers with minimal loss of service.
The new rules will mean that all wholesale providers must provide MAC codes to their customers – the retail broadband providers - upon request, regardless of any dispute.
This have been problematic to date and Ofcom found that though 83% of users found it relatively easy to change providers, 17% didn't.
There has been some resistance to this, but now wholesale broadband providers will not be able to refuse supplying the MAC.
From Feb 14th 2007 broadband providers will have to supply consumers with a MAC upon request and free of charge. The MAC is the Migration Authorisation Code and allows a consumer to change broadband providers with minimal loss of service.
The new rules will mean that all wholesale providers must provide MAC codes to their customers – the retail broadband providers - upon request, regardless of any dispute.
This have been problematic to date and Ofcom found that though 83% of users found it relatively easy to change providers, 17% didn't.
There has been some resistance to this, but now wholesale broadband providers will not be able to refuse supplying the MAC.
Terms of Reference | Ofcom
Terms of Reference | Ofcom
Ofcom is conducting a review of premium rate services and whether the legislative regime should be changed, there should be more resources made available to concentrate on where consumer harm is greatest, revisions to the ICSTIS code and PRS conditions.
Ofcom will also hold a consultation next spring (2007) and then make recommendations/changes after.
Though Ofcom can tighten the regime, there are innovotive uses for PRS such as micro-payment solutions and their aim is to ensure consumers are protected while encouraging innovation.
Ofcom is conducting a review of premium rate services and whether the legislative regime should be changed, there should be more resources made available to concentrate on where consumer harm is greatest, revisions to the ICSTIS code and PRS conditions.
Ofcom will also hold a consultation next spring (2007) and then make recommendations/changes after.
Though Ofcom can tighten the regime, there are innovotive uses for PRS such as micro-payment solutions and their aim is to ensure consumers are protected while encouraging innovation.
2006/12/11
Digit news - EU approves sale of AOL UK
Digit news - EU approves sale of AOL UK
The EC (European Commission) has approved the sale of AOL UK to Carphone Warehouse (CPW), so the CPW should be able to leverage AOL's LLU service and provisioning systems.
CPW have been getting a lot of consumer flack for leaving lines without broadband or telephone service for weeks. If they can integrate AOLs systems they should be able to improve their customer service considerably.
They also gain IPTV and other content services from AOL.
The EC (European Commission) has approved the sale of AOL UK to Carphone Warehouse (CPW), so the CPW should be able to leverage AOL's LLU service and provisioning systems.
CPW have been getting a lot of consumer flack for leaving lines without broadband or telephone service for weeks. If they can integrate AOLs systems they should be able to improve their customer service considerably.
They also gain IPTV and other content services from AOL.
Award of available spectrum: 2500-2690 MHz, 2010-2025 MHz and 2290-2300 MHz | Ofcom
Award of available spectrum: 2500-2690 MHz, 2010-2025 MHz and 2290-2300 MHz | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on various frequency bands. The consultation closes in March 2007.
These are "prime" bands as there's a lot of spectrum available and they sit in the WiMAX frequency range and would suite 802.16e (i.e. Mobile WiMAX). BT have already expressed interest.
Unfortunately these bands are designated for 3G use and the 3G operators are likely to wish to utilise the spectrum since they paid £21bn for their original allocations.
Ofcom would like to offer them on a technology neutral basis, but there are EU harmonisation issues (they are harmonised bands allocated for 3G use).
If they can be moved away from purely 3G use, competition will be fierce.
Ofcom is holding a consultation on various frequency bands. The consultation closes in March 2007.
These are "prime" bands as there's a lot of spectrum available and they sit in the WiMAX frequency range and would suite 802.16e (i.e. Mobile WiMAX). BT have already expressed interest.
Unfortunately these bands are designated for 3G use and the 3G operators are likely to wish to utilise the spectrum since they paid £21bn for their original allocations.
Ofcom would like to offer them on a technology neutral basis, but there are EU harmonisation issues (they are harmonised bands allocated for 3G use).
If they can be moved away from purely 3G use, competition will be fierce.
2006/12/05
Telabria goes titsup, takes down So Broadband | The Register
Telabria goes titsup, takes down So Broadband | The Register: "OrbitalNetOrbitalNet"
Another WISP (wireless ISP) has gone down the tubes. Telabria set-up a while ago in the Canterbury area and made a big noise about WiMAX. It's unlikely they were really using WiMAX, but preWiMAX kit - and in 5.8GHz which has no interference protection.
Let's hope other (pre)WiMAX operators don't go the same way, or maybe they should and someone can start afresh buying kit in a firesale.
Another WISP (wireless ISP) has gone down the tubes. Telabria set-up a while ago in the Canterbury area and made a big noise about WiMAX. It's unlikely they were really using WiMAX, but preWiMAX kit - and in 5.8GHz which has no interference protection.
Let's hope other (pre)WiMAX operators don't go the same way, or maybe they should and someone can start afresh buying kit in a firesale.
2006/12/04
7 foot balloon makes its first appearance
A while back I obtained a 7 foot diameter commercial helium balloon. It sat around for a long time while I tried to get someone to make a cover for it.
It took a while, but in the last 2 weeks it materialised (thanks to the Bristol lot). It was fireproof with a nice velcro slit to allow the balloon to be inserted and removed.
On Saturday it made its first public appearance at Whirl-y-gig and all seemed well.
Unfortunately some idiots decided to sit on it and find the only non-covered bit (a small circle where the strips were sown together and where it could be tied) and put a cigarette through the nylon and puncture it. The jump also slightly tore the cover, so back to Bristol it's gone for repair.
When all is fixed and it makes a clubbing return it will have to be secured between letting loose so idiots cant touch it.
I tried filling with helium, but it eats a lot and it's not practicle unless spending lots of money.
Digit news - UK cities in spat over metro Wi-Fi claims
Digit news - UK cities in spat over metro Wi-Fi claims
Bt's launching it's wired cities, the Cloud are going nowhere fast and Cityspace are extending Bristol and Islington zones.
Much of it is hype as WiFi just doesn't scale well, it was never designed to operate that way and as networks grow bigger, they suffer more interference and performance degrades rapidly.
It's rumoured the Cloud were using lamposts with WiFi mesh systems in them, unfortunately though they got permission from the Council to use them, the electricity company didn't, so they've got all these boxes sitting there but not plugged in.
Bt's launching it's wired cities, the Cloud are going nowhere fast and Cityspace are extending Bristol and Islington zones.
Much of it is hype as WiFi just doesn't scale well, it was never designed to operate that way and as networks grow bigger, they suffer more interference and performance degrades rapidly.
It's rumoured the Cloud were using lamposts with WiFi mesh systems in them, unfortunately though they got permission from the Council to use them, the electricity company didn't, so they've got all these boxes sitting there but not plugged in.
Parallels beta works with Boot Camp partition
Parallels beta works with Boot Camp partition
Parallels, the software that supports virtual machines under Intel versions of MacOS X has launched a new beta that allows it also to work with Apple's boot camp partitions (which allows dual booting of Windows XP).
There are also lots of new features: -
* New Look and Feel and Improved Usability. Completely redesigned windows and dialogues to make them even easier and smooth. Too many changes to describe – just check them out yourselves
* Virtual Machines Catalogue. A very useful feature for those having more than one VM – now all of them are available through centralized VM catalogue which appears on each Parallels Desktop for Mac instance start in case you have more than one VM
* One-click Virtual Machine Aliases:
- Automatically created by OS installation assistant or by drag-and-drop from title bar pressing Command-Option keys combination
- Clicking on Alias automatically starts the Virtual Machine
- Shutting down the VM automatically closes Parallels Desktop for Mac application
* Resizable Main Window. Resize Parallels Desktop for Mac main window as you do with any other Mac application
* Auto-Adjusting Screen Resolution. Your Windows auto-adjusts the screen resolution to the actual Main Window size.
* Drag and Drop files and folders between Windows and Mac. A long awaited feature that lets you seamlessly drag and drop files and folders from Windows to Mac OS X and vice versa.
* Read/Write BootCamp partition. Since this build, an Apple Boot Camp partition with Windows XP installed could be used as a virtual HDD for Parallels Desktop for Mac.
* Boot from BootCamp partition. Another long awaited feature that lets you boot your 32-bit Windows XP residing on Boot Camp partition directly in Parallels Desktop for Mac.
installation.
* Parallels Transporter Beta bundled. Migrate your Windows PC, VMware or Virtual PC VMs to Parallels virtual machines. Please visit Parallels Transporter forum for details.
* Coherence. Shows Windows applications as if they were Mac ones. Try it and enjoy best of both worlds truly at the same time. No more switching between Windows to Mac OS.
* Improved graphic performance. Up to 50% on different applications.
* Connect/disconnect USB devices schema improved. No more “wait 5-10 seconds” message on USB device connecting to Parallels Desktop for Mac.
* Up to 5 Virtual NICs. Now Virtual Machine can have up to five virtual network interfaces.
* Enhanced Shared Networking Mode. Run Cisco VPN and many other complicated networking applications in conjunction with Connection Sharing Mode.
* Switch between networking modes on-the-fly. Switch networking modes while the virtual machine is running.
* Transparent mapping of Command-AZXCV key combinations. Now you can also use Mac copy/paste key combinations in Windows.
* Power On/Power Off/Suspend/Resume/Pause animation. Just try and see. :) We’re very interested in your feedback about the feature.
* Shared folders configuration on-the-fly. Add/remove/configure shared folders on-the-fly via menu or Status Bar icon without the need to stop your Virtual Machine.
* Drag and Drop CD/FDD images and folders to the Parallels Desktop statusbar. Just drag and drop CD or floppy image you want to connect or Mac folder you want to share onto a respective statusbar icon.
People who use Parallels, swear by it. It has a very good reputation. It seems a big use is people running Outlook on XP in Parallels and Office for Mac for all the other MS applications.
Parallels, the software that supports virtual machines under Intel versions of MacOS X has launched a new beta that allows it also to work with Apple's boot camp partitions (which allows dual booting of Windows XP).
There are also lots of new features: -
* New Look and Feel and Improved Usability. Completely redesigned windows and dialogues to make them even easier and smooth. Too many changes to describe – just check them out yourselves
* Virtual Machines Catalogue. A very useful feature for those having more than one VM – now all of them are available through centralized VM catalogue which appears on each Parallels Desktop for Mac instance start in case you have more than one VM
* One-click Virtual Machine Aliases:
- Automatically created by OS installation assistant or by drag-and-drop from title bar pressing Command-Option keys combination
- Clicking on Alias automatically starts the Virtual Machine
- Shutting down the VM automatically closes Parallels Desktop for Mac application
* Resizable Main Window. Resize Parallels Desktop for Mac main window as you do with any other Mac application
* Auto-Adjusting Screen Resolution. Your Windows auto-adjusts the screen resolution to the actual Main Window size.
* Drag and Drop files and folders between Windows and Mac. A long awaited feature that lets you seamlessly drag and drop files and folders from Windows to Mac OS X and vice versa.
* Read/Write BootCamp partition. Since this build, an Apple Boot Camp partition with Windows XP installed could be used as a virtual HDD for Parallels Desktop for Mac.
* Boot from BootCamp partition. Another long awaited feature that lets you boot your 32-bit Windows XP residing on Boot Camp partition directly in Parallels Desktop for Mac.
installation.
* Parallels Transporter Beta bundled. Migrate your Windows PC, VMware or Virtual PC VMs to Parallels virtual machines. Please visit Parallels Transporter forum for details.
* Coherence. Shows Windows applications as if they were Mac ones. Try it and enjoy best of both worlds truly at the same time. No more switching between Windows to Mac OS.
* Improved graphic performance. Up to 50% on different applications.
* Connect/disconnect USB devices schema improved. No more “wait 5-10 seconds” message on USB device connecting to Parallels Desktop for Mac.
* Up to 5 Virtual NICs. Now Virtual Machine can have up to five virtual network interfaces.
* Enhanced Shared Networking Mode. Run Cisco VPN and many other complicated networking applications in conjunction with Connection Sharing Mode.
* Switch between networking modes on-the-fly. Switch networking modes while the virtual machine is running.
* Transparent mapping of Command-AZXCV key combinations. Now you can also use Mac copy/paste key combinations in Windows.
* Power On/Power Off/Suspend/Resume/Pause animation. Just try and see. :) We’re very interested in your feedback about the feature.
* Shared folders configuration on-the-fly. Add/remove/configure shared folders on-the-fly via menu or Status Bar icon without the need to stop your Virtual Machine.
* Drag and Drop CD/FDD images and folders to the Parallels Desktop statusbar. Just drag and drop CD or floppy image you want to connect or Mac folder you want to share onto a respective statusbar icon.
People who use Parallels, swear by it. It has a very good reputation. It seems a big use is people running Outlook on XP in Parallels and Office for Mac for all the other MS applications.
Digit news - Sun enhances mobile delivery platform
Digit news - Sun enhances mobile delivery platform
Sun is poised to announce it's Sun Java System Content Delivery Server (CDS) at the International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World show in Hong Kong today.
It's a platform providing a common infrastructure for delivering all types of content, including Java applications, games, ringtones and wallpaper. It also lets operators create storefronts, viral marketing tools and payment systems.
This should allow operators and carriers to quickly develop applications etc and maybe provice new revenue streams for the 3G markets - which could help carriers pay for their 3G licenses.
The European Commission has today told Ofcom that mobile termination rates should not be set high to pay off the huge fees paid for licenses in the UK 3G auction.
Sun are also announcing various partnership deals with carriers etc.
Sun is poised to announce it's Sun Java System Content Delivery Server (CDS) at the International Telecommunication Union's Telecom World show in Hong Kong today.
It's a platform providing a common infrastructure for delivering all types of content, including Java applications, games, ringtones and wallpaper. It also lets operators create storefronts, viral marketing tools and payment systems.
This should allow operators and carriers to quickly develop applications etc and maybe provice new revenue streams for the 3G markets - which could help carriers pay for their 3G licenses.
The European Commission has today told Ofcom that mobile termination rates should not be set high to pay off the huge fees paid for licenses in the UK 3G auction.
Sun are also announcing various partnership deals with carriers etc.
Ofcom advertises DAB national radio multiplex licence | Ofcom
Ofcom advertises DAB national radio multiplex licence | Ofcom
Last week Ofcom started the process for a new UK wide (and Isle of Mann) DAB multiplex.
Consideration will need to be given to interference in coastal areas and Northern Ireland. Countries that may be affected are France, Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
Initially, some coastal areas in southern and south-eastern England, as well as parts of Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and parts of west Wales will not be able to receive this multiplex.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 3.00 p.m. on 28 March 2007. A non-refundable fee of £50,000 will be payable for each application submitted.
So any budding radio operators - ged bidding for a new license.
Last week Ofcom started the process for a new UK wide (and Isle of Mann) DAB multiplex.
Consideration will need to be given to interference in coastal areas and Northern Ireland. Countries that may be affected are France, Netherlands and the Republic of Ireland.
Initially, some coastal areas in southern and south-eastern England, as well as parts of Northern Ireland, the Isle of Man and parts of west Wales will not be able to receive this multiplex.
The closing date for the receipt of applications is 3.00 p.m. on 28 March 2007. A non-refundable fee of £50,000 will be payable for each application submitted.
So any budding radio operators - ged bidding for a new license.
Ofcom Licensing Centre services | Ofcom
Ofcom Licensing Centre services | Ofcom
Last week Ofcom launched an on-line licensing service for amateur radio and ship's licenses (these are lifetime licenses).
Users will have to register first, then they can access the on-line service.
This is in-line with the recent announcements of legalising low power FM transmitters etc.
Last week Ofcom launched an on-line licensing service for amateur radio and ship's licenses (these are lifetime licenses).
Users will have to register first, then they can access the on-line service.
This is in-line with the recent announcements of legalising low power FM transmitters etc.
2006/11/30
Digit news - Apple releases Mac OS X Security Update
Digit news - Apple releases Mac OS X Security Update
Apple have released a major security update for Macs. As well as fixing bugs in aplications like ATS, CFNetwork, Finder, Font Book, Font Importer, Installer, OpenSSL, PHP, PPP, Samba, Security Framework, VPN, WebKit, gnuzip, and perl it also fixes a major bug with the airport (WiFi) driver that allows remote execution or arbitary code.
The update is available through the normal Apple update services.
Apple have released a major security update for Macs. As well as fixing bugs in aplications like ATS, CFNetwork, Finder, Font Book, Font Importer, Installer, OpenSSL, PHP, PPP, Samba, Security Framework, VPN, WebKit, gnuzip, and perl it also fixes a major bug with the airport (WiFi) driver that allows remote execution or arbitary code.
The update is available through the normal Apple update services.
Digit news - Marvell chips speed mobile Web browsing
Digit news - Marvell chips speed mobile Web browsing:
Marvell acquired the Xscale series of processors from Intel and the new range PXA 300, PXA 310 and PXA 320 chips are the first fruits of the acquisition.
They are designed to be used in mobile devices where computing power is needed, but also good power consumption - they can adjust their processing speed as required.
The PXA 300 is designed for low cost applications, the 310 for numeric applications and the 320 for video.
They can run up to 1.2GHz, though current versions run at 800MHz.
Marvell acquired the Xscale series of processors from Intel and the new range PXA 300, PXA 310 and PXA 320 chips are the first fruits of the acquisition.
They are designed to be used in mobile devices where computing power is needed, but also good power consumption - they can adjust their processing speed as required.
The PXA 300 is designed for low cost applications, the 310 for numeric applications and the 320 for video.
They can run up to 1.2GHz, though current versions run at 800MHz.
Digit news - Intel readies 45nm quad-core chips
Digit news - Intel readies 45nm quad-core chips
Based on the same micro-architechture as the current Core 2 Due these chips use a new 45nm process (compared to the current 65nm process). This should allow faster, cooler chips and more chips can be put on the silicon per square inch.
Based on the same micro-architechture as the current Core 2 Due these chips use a new 45nm process (compared to the current 65nm process). This should allow faster, cooler chips and more chips can be put on the silicon per square inch.
Digit news - AMD debuts four-core "4x4" motherboard
Digit news - AMD debuts four-core "4x4" motherboard
AMD has launched a motherboard capabable of taking two dual-core Athlon 64 FX-70 series chips and uses Nvidia's 680a chipset.
Some might say it's not true 4x4 but running 2x dual core. However it will be compatible with future true quad core designs being released next year. It's aimed at high end gamers.
It also shows AMD are retaining their relationship with Nvidia even though they acquired ATI earlier this year.
AMD has launched a motherboard capabable of taking two dual-core Athlon 64 FX-70 series chips and uses Nvidia's 680a chipset.
Some might say it's not true 4x4 but running 2x dual core. However it will be compatible with future true quad core designs being released next year. It's aimed at high end gamers.
It also shows AMD are retaining their relationship with Nvidia even though they acquired ATI earlier this year.
Digit news - Matrox offers Mac users Head2Go
Digit news - Matrox offers Mac users Head2Go
Matrix have released Mac software for their DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go external boxes that allow 2 or 3 monitors respectively to be connected to the video output of a Matrix graphics card through the single display port. This allows resolutions up to 2,560-x-10,241 and 3,840-x-10,241 performing like a single ultra widescreen monitor.
The dual head box costs £89 +VAT and the triple head £170 +VAT.
Matrix have released Mac software for their DualHead2Go and TripleHead2Go external boxes that allow 2 or 3 monitors respectively to be connected to the video output of a Matrix graphics card through the single display port. This allows resolutions up to 2,560-x-10,241 and 3,840-x-10,241 performing like a single ultra widescreen monitor.
The dual head box costs £89 +VAT and the triple head £170 +VAT.
2006/11/25
Pico GSM cells, what's the fuss all about? | The Register
Pico GSM cells, what's the fuss all about? | The Register: "1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1880MHz (known as the GSM Guard bands)1781.7-1785MHz paired with 1876.7-1880MHz (known as the GSM Guard bands)"
The GSM Guard bands were put in place as the seperate the GSM bands from the DECT bands. 20 years ago radio kit tended to bleed into neighbouring areas, so Ofcom reserved these chunks of 3.3MHz to ensure that there would be no interference with DECT.
Nowadays radio kit is much better and doesn't, so Ofcom auctioned off the spectrum and made £3.8m for the government in the process (peanuts compared to the £22bn they made on 3G, but it's some cash to pay for a tank in Iraq or something).
The major advantage is that all GSM phones will "listen" on those frequencies as their normal behaviour, so in theory easy to run a low power GSM network and use off-the-shelf phones. Of course there's more to it than that and the article goes on to explain that.
The GSM Guard bands were put in place as the seperate the GSM bands from the DECT bands. 20 years ago radio kit tended to bleed into neighbouring areas, so Ofcom reserved these chunks of 3.3MHz to ensure that there would be no interference with DECT.
Nowadays radio kit is much better and doesn't, so Ofcom auctioned off the spectrum and made £3.8m for the government in the process (peanuts compared to the £22bn they made on 3G, but it's some cash to pay for a tank in Iraq or something).
The major advantage is that all GSM phones will "listen" on those frequencies as their normal behaviour, so in theory easy to run a low power GSM network and use off-the-shelf phones. Of course there's more to it than that and the article goes on to explain that.
Ofcom flicks switch on iPod FM | The Register
Ofcom flicks switch on iPod FM | The Register
My article on legalising low power transmitters and other things.
My article on legalising low power transmitters and other things.
2006/11/21
Review of the wholesale broadband access markets 2006/07 | Ofcom
Review of the wholesale broadband access markets 2006/07 | Ofcom
Ofcom are holding a consultation on the Wholesale Broadband Access (WBA) market. This is to ensure other players have equal access to WBA and can offer their own services.
This really affects BT and Kingston Communications (who are the sole comms provider in Hull) as they both have Significant Market Power (SMP) in various areas.
The consultation closes on 13/02/07.
Ofcom will publish their findings in mid 2007 and further review the situation.
Ofcom are holding a consultation on the Wholesale Broadband Access (WBA) market. This is to ensure other players have equal access to WBA and can offer their own services.
This really affects BT and Kingston Communications (who are the sole comms provider in Hull) as they both have Significant Market Power (SMP) in various areas.
The consultation closes on 13/02/07.
Ofcom will publish their findings in mid 2007 and further review the situation.
Higher power limits for licence-exempt devices | Ofcom
Higher power limits for licence-exempt devices | Ofcom
Ofcom held a consultation to raise power limits in both the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands. There were 30 responses from a wide range of organisations.
Since broadband is now available (at speeds of at least 512Kb/s) in most of the UK and there are possible interference effects when raising the power of 2.4GHz in rural areas Ofcom has decided not to proceed with changing the 2.4Ghz limits.
In 5.8GHz there was general agreement that power limits could be raised, so Ofcom are planning to change the licensing so higher power limits can be used nationally (with the constraints that 5.8GHz is a lightly licensed band).
Ofcom also asked whether conducted power rather than radiated power levels should be used as the basis for regulation, there was a mixed response which went towards supporting this across Europe, so Ofcom will make any such changes through the European Regulatory regime.
Ofcom held a consultation to raise power limits in both the 2.4GHz and 5.8GHz bands. There were 30 responses from a wide range of organisations.
Since broadband is now available (at speeds of at least 512Kb/s) in most of the UK and there are possible interference effects when raising the power of 2.4GHz in rural areas Ofcom has decided not to proceed with changing the 2.4Ghz limits.
In 5.8GHz there was general agreement that power limits could be raised, so Ofcom are planning to change the licensing so higher power limits can be used nationally (with the constraints that 5.8GHz is a lightly licensed band).
Ofcom also asked whether conducted power rather than radiated power levels should be used as the basis for regulation, there was a mixed response which went towards supporting this across Europe, so Ofcom will make any such changes through the European Regulatory regime.
2006/11/20
Digit news - Powerful Mac admin utility updated
Digit news - Powerful Mac admin utility updated
Though the utility looks nice, Xupport costs US$19.90. Onyx which does very similar functions if free.
Though the utility looks nice, Xupport costs US$19.90. Onyx which does very similar functions if free.
O2 picocells to send mobile calls via LANs - 20 Nov 2006 - IT Week
O2 picocells to send mobile calls via LANs - 20 Nov 2006 - IT Week
It seems O2 are going to use their GSM Guard Band license to offer in-building GSM, using ADSL as backhaul.
They say they have a combined GSM/DSL router for less than Euro 100. They have a huge advantage against other Guard Band operators in that they can just plug into their own GSM network, without risk of interference to existing cells. Hand-off when outside the pico-cell will just work.
If they can really produce equipment this cheaply, then even normal ADSL will support a couple of voice calls (GSM uses a 13Kb/s codec and even after converting to VoIP may only use around 21Kb/s). Most ADSL upstream supports at least 256Kb/s, though it's contended.
It makes sense in offices, but could also attract home users, who get cheaper calls when using their own cell. As O2 recently bought Be (the local loop unbundler) they'll have a network to run the system over, though they have limited coverage at the moment.
It seems O2 are going to use their GSM Guard Band license to offer in-building GSM, using ADSL as backhaul.
They say they have a combined GSM/DSL router for less than Euro 100. They have a huge advantage against other Guard Band operators in that they can just plug into their own GSM network, without risk of interference to existing cells. Hand-off when outside the pico-cell will just work.
If they can really produce equipment this cheaply, then even normal ADSL will support a couple of voice calls (GSM uses a 13Kb/s codec and even after converting to VoIP may only use around 21Kb/s). Most ADSL upstream supports at least 256Kb/s, though it's contended.
It makes sense in offices, but could also attract home users, who get cheaper calls when using their own cell. As O2 recently bought Be (the local loop unbundler) they'll have a network to run the system over, though they have limited coverage at the moment.
Vodafone fesses to premium rate SMS overcharging | The Register
Vodafone fesses to premium rate SMS overcharging | The Register
Here's an article I wrote about Vodafone overcharging some Pay as You Talk customers for premium rate SMS.
Funny that The Metro has an almost identical article.
Here's an article I wrote about Vodafone overcharging some Pay as You Talk customers for premium rate SMS.
Funny that The Metro has an almost identical article.
2006/11/16
Starbucks Card
Though I hate to say it, it's an impressive system. You get a card (any card) and then top it up with cash. You can then use the card in stores in the UK and abroad and use them to buy stuff from Starbucks.
You can also register the card on the Starbucks website (and it then becomes a loyalty card and they're meant to offer freebies etc - though as it has just launched, yet to be seen). When you register the card, the card balance and what you've spent show up on the site. What's amazing is how quickly. Having bought a coffee the transaction showed up on the site within 10 minutes (the time taken walking from the store home).
Another way for Big Brother to track you, but as long as they give free coffee you can stay awake thinking about everyone spying on you.
You can also register the card on the Starbucks website (and it then becomes a loyalty card and they're meant to offer freebies etc - though as it has just launched, yet to be seen). When you register the card, the card balance and what you've spent show up on the site. What's amazing is how quickly. Having bought a coffee the transaction showed up on the site within 10 minutes (the time taken walking from the store home).
Another way for Big Brother to track you, but as long as they give free coffee you can stay awake thinking about everyone spying on you.
Review of General Condition 18 – Number portability | Ofcom
Review of General Condition 18 – Number portability | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation to allow rapid porting of numbers across networks, both in the fixed and mobile arenas. Fixed networks will be expected to port numbers within 1 working day and mobile networks within 3.
There will be an all-call query of a common database of numbers (“ACQ/CDB”) solution both for fixed and mobile networks (mobile networks already utilise something similar) which will aid in routing calls.
Currently fixed networks use completely static routes that are preprogrammed into each telephone exchange which makes tasks like porting extremely complex and time consuming.
As fixed networks move to Next Generation Networks, this will also fit in well with NGN topologies.
Unfortunately it's a slow process and will not be implemented until 2009.
Ofcom is holding a consultation to allow rapid porting of numbers across networks, both in the fixed and mobile arenas. Fixed networks will be expected to port numbers within 1 working day and mobile networks within 3.
There will be an all-call query of a common database of numbers (“ACQ/CDB”) solution both for fixed and mobile networks (mobile networks already utilise something similar) which will aid in routing calls.
Currently fixed networks use completely static routes that are preprogrammed into each telephone exchange which makes tasks like porting extremely complex and time consuming.
As fixed networks move to Next Generation Networks, this will also fit in well with NGN topologies.
Unfortunately it's a slow process and will not be implemented until 2009.
Digit news - Apple boosts RAW support for digital cameras
Digit news - Apple boosts RAW support for digital cameras
The new update supports the Canon EOS400 and Nikon D80 amongst other and fixes problems with large Canon RAW (.crw) and Adobe Digital Negative format (.DNG).
The update is on Apple's site.
Apple have also issued an update to their X11 software 2006 1.1.3.
The new update supports the Canon EOS400 and Nikon D80 amongst other and fixes problems with large Canon RAW (.crw) and Adobe Digital Negative format (.DNG).
The update is on Apple's site.
Apple have also issued an update to their X11 software 2006 1.1.3.
2006/11/14
Digit news - The 300GB DVD debuts
Digit news - The 300GB DVD debuts
Hitachi Maxell is producing a 300GB holographic DVD. It will be initially available to the entertainment industry, but a consumer variant can be expected within 2 years. Disks currently cost about $100.
In 2008 they will develop a read/write version with a capacity of 800GB and by 2010 this will increase to 1.6TB.
Very soon consumers will be able to put their current complete DVD and audio collections on a single disk.
Hitachi Maxell is producing a 300GB holographic DVD. It will be initially available to the entertainment industry, but a consumer variant can be expected within 2 years. Disks currently cost about $100.
In 2008 they will develop a read/write version with a capacity of 800GB and by 2010 this will increase to 1.6TB.
Very soon consumers will be able to put their current complete DVD and audio collections on a single disk.
Digit news - Intel bids for rebound with quad-core chips
Digit news - Intel bids for rebound with quad-core chips
Intel is launching various Quad Core CPU's. The Xeon 5300 range are designed for high-end workstations and servers, while the Core 2 Duo Extreme is a plug-in replacement for the Core 2 Duo and is more suited to gamers.
The Xeon's use less power (from 80W at 1.66GHz to 120W at 2.66GHz) while the Core 2 Due Extreme (2.66GHz) uses 130W.
Pricing for the Core 2 Duo Extreme is $999 while the highest spec Xeon is $1,172 (both in 1,000 quantity).
AMD will launch quad cores next year.
Intel is launching various Quad Core CPU's. The Xeon 5300 range are designed for high-end workstations and servers, while the Core 2 Duo Extreme is a plug-in replacement for the Core 2 Duo and is more suited to gamers.
The Xeon's use less power (from 80W at 1.66GHz to 120W at 2.66GHz) while the Core 2 Due Extreme (2.66GHz) uses 130W.
Pricing for the Core 2 Duo Extreme is $999 while the highest spec Xeon is $1,172 (both in 1,000 quantity).
AMD will launch quad cores next year.
Apple does iPods on planes
Apple has announced plans with Air France, Continental, Delta, Emirates, KLM and United to put iPod docks into plane seats. They will connect into the audio and seat-back video display to display any stored videos on the display. Service is expected to start in 2007.
They have also announced a deal with Panasonic Avionics Corporation (who are also looking at offering a replacement for the Boing Connexion service), so maybe it will be possible to buy movies and audio from iTunes while on a flight.
This could be a major plus for Apple and continue their iPod dominance.
They have also announced a deal with Panasonic Avionics Corporation (who are also looking at offering a replacement for the Boing Connexion service), so maybe it will be possible to buy movies and audio from iTunes while on a flight.
This could be a major plus for Apple and continue their iPod dominance.
Ofcom silent on VoIP regulation - Telecoms - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
Ofcom silent on VoIP regulation - Telecoms - Breaking Business and Technology News at silicon.com
Ofcom was meant to publish regulation on VoIP in August, but it's been delayed. It seems they will now publish by the end of November, but there's no mention of it on any Ofcom publications or their site.
Traditional voice has been regulated for a long time, but Ofcom has taken a light-handed approach to VoIP, which should allow for competition in next generation networks. However it may also give BT (the encumbant) the flexibility they are not allowed under the current regulatory environment.
Ofcom was meant to publish regulation on VoIP in August, but it's been delayed. It seems they will now publish by the end of November, but there's no mention of it on any Ofcom publications or their site.
Traditional voice has been regulated for a long time, but Ofcom has taken a light-handed approach to VoIP, which should allow for competition in next generation networks. However it may also give BT (the encumbant) the flexibility they are not allowed under the current regulatory environment.
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