It seems that the UK is beating the US for mobile access in terms of percentages of internet users.
In the UK 5.7 out of 30 million internet users access via some kind of mobile device. In the US it's only 30 out of 176 million.
The BBC seems to be the most accessed site.
2007/05/17
2007/05/15
PRESS RELEASE: Motorola's new Qs - FierceWireless
PRESS RELEASE: Motorola's new Qs - FierceWireless
Motorola have announced the Moto Q 9 the latest generation of its smartphone. Supporting 3G and HSDPA at 3.6Mb/s.
They have also announced an new RAZR2 which is thinner than the original RAZR and uses new materials so it's a much stronger phone.
Motorola have announced the Moto Q 9 the latest generation of its smartphone. Supporting 3G and HSDPA at 3.6Mb/s.
They have also announced an new RAZR2 which is thinner than the original RAZR and uses new materials so it's a much stronger phone.
2007/05/11
Ofcom awards Northern Ireland spectrum licence to Personal Broadband UK Limited | Ofcom
Ofcom awards Northern Ireland spectrum licence to Personal Broadband UK Limited | Ofcom
Ofcom announced that Personal Broadband UK Limited has been awarded a Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence to use the 1785 MHz - 1805 MHz radio spectrum bands in Northern Ireland. This 20MHz block of spectrum is being released in a technology neutral and service basis.
The licence was auctioned through a sealed bid process on Wednesday 9 May. Personal Broadband UK Limited paid £352,000 for the licence, which was the amount bid by the unsuccessful bidder, Barablu Mobile Holding Limited. Personal Broadband UK Limited bid the higher amount of £501,001, securing the licence at the lower price according to the ‘second price rule’ of the auction.
On 27 April 2007 Personal Broadband UK Limited won the license for Ireland, so now they have both licenses (i.e. Ireland and Northern Ireland). This offers the opportunity for the development of services across the island of Ireland.
Ofcom’s research into the bands has identified a number of potential uses including:
* wireless broadband access
* mobile broadcast, such as wireless cameras for outside broadcasts
* video or closed-circuit television links
* extra capacity for the delivery of mobile services
This auction is part of a programme to release around 400 MHz of prime spectrum over the next few years, creating major opportunities for innovation in wireless services.
Ofcom announced that Personal Broadband UK Limited has been awarded a Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence to use the 1785 MHz - 1805 MHz radio spectrum bands in Northern Ireland. This 20MHz block of spectrum is being released in a technology neutral and service basis.
The licence was auctioned through a sealed bid process on Wednesday 9 May. Personal Broadband UK Limited paid £352,000 for the licence, which was the amount bid by the unsuccessful bidder, Barablu Mobile Holding Limited. Personal Broadband UK Limited bid the higher amount of £501,001, securing the licence at the lower price according to the ‘second price rule’ of the auction.
On 27 April 2007 Personal Broadband UK Limited won the license for Ireland, so now they have both licenses (i.e. Ireland and Northern Ireland). This offers the opportunity for the development of services across the island of Ireland.
Ofcom’s research into the bands has identified a number of potential uses including:
* wireless broadband access
* mobile broadcast, such as wireless cameras for outside broadcasts
* video or closed-circuit television links
* extra capacity for the delivery of mobile services
This auction is part of a programme to release around 400 MHz of prime spectrum over the next few years, creating major opportunities for innovation in wireless services.
2007/05/09
BT charge ISPs for terminating users
Normally when a user gets ADSL, there are charges to set-up the line. That could be through BT Wholesale or via an LLU (local loop unbundling) operator. Those charges may be hidden by the ISP/etc or built in to the set-up charge.
If a user then migrates to another operator, that's fine too.
However if a user happens to cancel their PSTN service, say they move house, the ISP may be charged £33 for the "cease" request even though they've got no control of the user.
There must be a sensible rational behind it somewhere.
If a user then migrates to another operator, that's fine too.
However if a user happens to cancel their PSTN service, say they move house, the ISP may be charged £33 for the "cease" request even though they've got no control of the user.
There must be a sensible rational behind it somewhere.
Xbox.com | Xbox News - Instant Messaging Comes to Xbox 360
Xbox.com | Xbox News - Instant Messaging Comes to Xbox 360
Xbox Live is being updated. There are a multitude of new features the main one being the inclusion of Windows Live Messenger, so users can chat with anyone on the Windows Live service.
Other updates include new video formats and support for progressive downloads. The system checks there is room on the disk before downloading something (and wont deduct points if it cant).
Though recent sales of the Xbox 360 have slowed down, Xbox Live is still much better than services from Sony or Nintendo (though that's bound to change over time). Microsoft are doing their best to stay in the lead.
Xbox Live is being updated. There are a multitude of new features the main one being the inclusion of Windows Live Messenger, so users can chat with anyone on the Windows Live service.
Other updates include new video formats and support for progressive downloads. The system checks there is room on the disk before downloading something (and wont deduct points if it cant).
Though recent sales of the Xbox 360 have slowed down, Xbox Live is still much better than services from Sony or Nintendo (though that's bound to change over time). Microsoft are doing their best to stay in the lead.
The award of spectrum at 10, 28, 32 & 40 GHz | Ofcom
The award of spectrum at 10, 28, 32 & 40 GHz | Ofcom
Ofcom has released a report on the bands at 10GHz, 28GHz, 32GHz and 40GHz. The report shows there's very little interest in the 40GHz bands.
Broadcasters have a potential interest in 10GHz, while 10, 28 and 32 GHz could be used for fixed wireless broadband or backhaul or other similar technologies.
Broadcasters only require a single channel, while other applications would require 2 channels (paired bands) for duplex use.
Some of the report has been censored as it might influence the results of any auctions and/or processes.
10GHz was previously allocated (to THUS and NTL) but both gave the licenses back as they were not being used.
There have been auctions in 28GHz, but they weren't particularly successfull and only a few licensees are actually using their licenses.
Ofcom has released a report on the bands at 10GHz, 28GHz, 32GHz and 40GHz. The report shows there's very little interest in the 40GHz bands.
Broadcasters have a potential interest in 10GHz, while 10, 28 and 32 GHz could be used for fixed wireless broadband or backhaul or other similar technologies.
Broadcasters only require a single channel, while other applications would require 2 channels (paired bands) for duplex use.
Some of the report has been censored as it might influence the results of any auctions and/or processes.
10GHz was previously allocated (to THUS and NTL) but both gave the licenses back as they were not being used.
There have been auctions in 28GHz, but they weren't particularly successfull and only a few licensees are actually using their licenses.
NTL:Telewest Business up for sale?
VirginMedia which is a consumer focussed brand may dispose of NTL:Telewest Business, its business unit.
Though NTL:Telewest Business accounted for around £200m of VirginMedia's revenue it could be considered "non core". Allegedly there have been talks with Kingston Communications (the Hull based operator), but if that's true there have probably been talks with all the major players (C&W, Carphone Warehouse, THUS, etc).
The cash would allow VirginMedia to acquire content or produce more of its own channels which it's wanted to do for a while.
Though NTL:Telewest Business accounted for around £200m of VirginMedia's revenue it could be considered "non core". Allegedly there have been talks with Kingston Communications (the Hull based operator), but if that's true there have probably been talks with all the major players (C&W, Carphone Warehouse, THUS, etc).
The cash would allow VirginMedia to acquire content or produce more of its own channels which it's wanted to do for a while.
2007/05/03
Netgear acquire Infrant
Infrant are a great little company based in the Bay Area of California. They make network attached servers, supporting Windows, Macs and Linux.
They've just been acquired by Netgear and it looks like some of the Infrant people will be looking after the storage side of the Netgear business.
Hopefully this should be a great match as Netgear's storage products haven't been that great, but they do make interesting things like their media streaming boxes - which will be a great marriage. Infrant gets the worldwide distribution it's badly needed.
They've just been acquired by Netgear and it looks like some of the Infrant people will be looking after the storage side of the Netgear business.
Hopefully this should be a great match as Netgear's storage products haven't been that great, but they do make interesting things like their media streaming boxes - which will be a great marriage. Infrant gets the worldwide distribution it's badly needed.
Apple fixes QuickTime hole after hack
Digital Arts
Apple has released a new version of Quicktime following a competition trying to "break into" a Mac without any apps running, when that failed through the browser.
The "hack" allows a malicious website to publish a java applet that can trigger the exploit in Quicktime.
The Quicktime update is available for both Windows and MacOS X, on Windows it can be obtained standalone or with iTunes. On MacOS it's available via the software update utility.
Apple has released a new version of Quicktime following a competition trying to "break into" a Mac without any apps running, when that failed through the browser.
The "hack" allows a malicious website to publish a java applet that can trigger the exploit in Quicktime.
The Quicktime update is available for both Windows and MacOS X, on Windows it can be obtained standalone or with iTunes. On MacOS it's available via the software update utility.
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Ofcom held a consultation with respect to the UK numbering plan and conserving numbers.
91 geographic codes are now under conservation status and allocations will occur in blocks of 1000 instead of the older 10,000 number block allocations. This should ensure that these number ranges do not run out.
0872 and 0873 will be introduced to supplement 0871 and 0843 will supplement 0844 which are used in NTS (number translation services).
Ofcom held a consultation with respect to the UK numbering plan and conserving numbers.
91 geographic codes are now under conservation status and allocations will occur in blocks of 1000 instead of the older 10,000 number block allocations. This should ensure that these number ranges do not run out.
0872 and 0873 will be introduced to supplement 0871 and 0843 will supplement 0844 which are used in NTS (number translation services).
2007/05/01
Microsoft to open source part of Silverlight
Digit Online
Microsoft is expected to opensource at least parts of Silverlight, their in-browser media rich player which they hope will compete with Adobe's Flash.
Flash has several years head start and a plethera of programmers who can produce Flash output and though Microsoft's Expression tools will support Silverlight, they haven't been released yet (expected in June).
This could well be a Flash in the pan for Microsoft as Adobe are continually adding features to Flash and are unlikely to let Microsoft get a foothold.
Microsoft is expected to opensource at least parts of Silverlight, their in-browser media rich player which they hope will compete with Adobe's Flash.
Flash has several years head start and a plethera of programmers who can produce Flash output and though Microsoft's Expression tools will support Silverlight, they haven't been released yet (expected in June).
This could well be a Flash in the pan for Microsoft as Adobe are continually adding features to Flash and are unlikely to let Microsoft get a foothold.
2007/04/30
Ofcom completes investigation into BSkyB’s shareholding in ITV plc | Ofcom
Ofcom completes investigation into BSkyB’s shareholding in ITV plc | Ofcom
Ofcom has completed it's investigation into Sky's purchase of 17.9% of ITV plc and has warranted that there are public interest issues (in relation to sufficient plurality of news provision for both cross media and television news in the UK).
This has now been passed back to the Secretary of State who will now consider whether to take it to the Competition Commission. That decision will be announced by 26 May 2007.
Sky are doing their best thwarte Virgin Media, who were trying to buy ITV. Soon after Sky also pulled their basic channels from Virgin too.
Ofcom has completed it's investigation into Sky's purchase of 17.9% of ITV plc and has warranted that there are public interest issues (in relation to sufficient plurality of news provision for both cross media and television news in the UK).
This has now been passed back to the Secretary of State who will now consider whether to take it to the Competition Commission. That decision will be announced by 26 May 2007.
Sky are doing their best thwarte Virgin Media, who were trying to buy ITV. Soon after Sky also pulled their basic channels from Virgin too.
2007/04/25
Apple Reports Second Quarter Results
Apple have posted their 2nd quarter results for the fiscal year 2007.
Earnings Grow 88 Percent Year-over-Year
The Company posted revenue of $5.26 billion and net quarterly profit of $770 million, or $.87 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $4.36 billion and net quarterly profit of $410 million, or $.47 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 35.1 percent, up from 29.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 43 percent of the quarter�s revenue.
Apple shipped 1,517,000 Macs and 10,549,000 iPods during the quarter, representing 36% growth in Macs and 24% growth in iPods over the year-ago quarter.
"The Mac is clearly gaining market share, with sales growing 36% more than three times the industry growth rate" said Steve Jobs "We're very excited about the upcoming launch of iPhone in late June, and are also hard at work on some other amazing new products in our pipeline."
Peter Oppenheimer, Apple CFO said it was "the most profitable March quarter in Apple's history".
Though Apple are growing, they still only account for a low percentage of the total number of PC's sold.
Earnings Grow 88 Percent Year-over-Year
The Company posted revenue of $5.26 billion and net quarterly profit of $770 million, or $.87 per diluted share. These results compare to revenue of $4.36 billion and net quarterly profit of $410 million, or $.47 per diluted share, in the year-ago quarter. Gross margin was 35.1 percent, up from 29.8 percent in the year-ago quarter. International sales accounted for 43 percent of the quarter�s revenue.
Apple shipped 1,517,000 Macs and 10,549,000 iPods during the quarter, representing 36% growth in Macs and 24% growth in iPods over the year-ago quarter.
"The Mac is clearly gaining market share, with sales growing 36% more than three times the industry growth rate" said Steve Jobs "We're very excited about the upcoming launch of iPhone in late June, and are also hard at work on some other amazing new products in our pipeline."
Peter Oppenheimer, Apple CFO said it was "the most profitable March quarter in Apple's history".
Though Apple are growing, they still only account for a low percentage of the total number of PC's sold.
New version of Asterisk released
Following security announcements a new version of Asterisk has been released (both for the 1.2 and 1.4 branches). New versions of Zaptel are also available.
Asterisk is an open source PBX which has an incredible wealth of functionality, however it's not for the feint hearted.
Asterisk is an open source PBX which has an incredible wealth of functionality, however it's not for the feint hearted.
XNA Game Studio Express Update - Xbox
XNA Game Studio Express Update - Xbox
Microsoft have updated their XNA Game Studio Express which allows developers a cost effective entry to developing Xbox360 games.
The refresh contains a packager allowing which can create both Xbox360 and PC games (only packing the game, not the source).
It also allows: -
* Official XNA Game Studio Express compatibility with Windows Vista
* Support for 3D audio using XACT
* Support for fonts in the XNA Framework
* Various other product enhancements and performance tuning
In order to share games, users must sign up to the XNA Creators Club which is available via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for $49 (U.S.) for 4 month sub, or $99 (U.S.) for 12 months.
By allowing smaller players (including home users) to develop games, there could be some interesting projects which could become a reality.
Microsoft have updated their XNA Game Studio Express which allows developers a cost effective entry to developing Xbox360 games.
The refresh contains a packager allowing which can create both Xbox360 and PC games (only packing the game, not the source).
It also allows: -
* Official XNA Game Studio Express compatibility with Windows Vista
* Support for 3D audio using XACT
* Support for fonts in the XNA Framework
* Various other product enhancements and performance tuning
In order to share games, users must sign up to the XNA Creators Club which is available via Xbox LIVE Marketplace for $49 (U.S.) for 4 month sub, or $99 (U.S.) for 12 months.
By allowing smaller players (including home users) to develop games, there could be some interesting projects which could become a reality.
2007/04/24
Top Wireless Companies, FierceWireless - Fierce15, 2007 - FierceWireless
Top Wireless Companies, FierceWireless - Fierce15, 2007 - FierceWireless:
Firce Wireless have announced the 15 companies that are going to make the biggest difference to the wireless market. US market of course ...
Ecrio
Gogomo
Integrated Mobile
Interop Technologies
iSkoot
JumpTap
Metrico Wireless
Millennial Media
Neonode
Obopay
Omnilink Systems
SNAPin
Sonopia
TeleNav
Tensorcomm
Firce Wireless have announced the 15 companies that are going to make the biggest difference to the wireless market. US market of course ...
Ecrio
Gogomo
Integrated Mobile
Interop Technologies
iSkoot
JumpTap
Metrico Wireless
Millennial Media
Neonode
Obopay
Omnilink Systems
SNAPin
Sonopia
TeleNav
Tensorcomm
Research In Motion
Research In Motion
RIM the makers of the Blackberry have announced there'll be a software version for Windows Mobile 6.0, though no specifics about which devices it will support.
RIM are unlikely to sell the product directly, but allow carriers to bundle it with Smartphones.
WM6 already supports Microsoft's push Email over ActiveSync from an Exchange server, but this will allow WM6 users to integrate directly into a familiar Blackbery environment.
It's also cheaper for RIM who don't have to continually develop new handsets.
RIM the makers of the Blackberry have announced there'll be a software version for Windows Mobile 6.0, though no specifics about which devices it will support.
RIM are unlikely to sell the product directly, but allow carriers to bundle it with Smartphones.
WM6 already supports Microsoft's push Email over ActiveSync from an Exchange server, but this will allow WM6 users to integrate directly into a familiar Blackbery environment.
It's also cheaper for RIM who don't have to continually develop new handsets.
Funny or Die
Funny or Die
Will Farrell (US comedian) has set this site up with backing from Sequoia ventures (who invested in YouTube).
Though Farrell and friends will contribute content, it's also user contributed and more importantly rated.
Any video that gets below a 1 rating goes into "The Crypt" and then can only be resurrected when 1,000 or more people request it - which should mean bad stuff gets relegated quickly and they save on huge storage costs.
Whether it can actually compete with YouTube is yet to be seen, though Farrell's "Landlord" video has been view 3m times already.
Will Farrell (US comedian) has set this site up with backing from Sequoia ventures (who invested in YouTube).
Though Farrell and friends will contribute content, it's also user contributed and more importantly rated.
Any video that gets below a 1 rating goes into "The Crypt" and then can only be resurrected when 1,000 or more people request it - which should mean bad stuff gets relegated quickly and they save on huge storage costs.
Whether it can actually compete with YouTube is yet to be seen, though Farrell's "Landlord" video has been view 3m times already.
2007/04/23
Free Wi-Fi software nixes need for routers - Network World
Free Wi-Fi software nixes need for routers - Network World
The Technion Institute in Isreal has developed Wipeer software that links PCs using WiFi.
The software is available as a free download and connects indoors up to 300ft and 900ft outdoors.
Technion are also looking at adding cellular support in for even more connectivity options.
The Technion Institute in Isreal has developed Wipeer software that links PCs using WiFi.
The software is available as a free download and connects indoors up to 300ft and 900ft outdoors.
Technion are also looking at adding cellular support in for even more connectivity options.
2007/04/19
Illegal Broadcasting | Ofcom
Illegal Broadcasting | Ofcom
Ofcom has published a report into illegal broadcasting in the UK (i.e. pirate radio stations).
Though Ofcom have to fight illegal broadcasting, they do have some interesting reports of activities in London specifically and have independently interviewed both listeners and broadcasters - who feel there is a need for pirate stations.
The annex of this report makes interesting reading - it shows that Ofcom's general readership don't understand modern terms at all :)
Ofcom has published a report into illegal broadcasting in the UK (i.e. pirate radio stations).
Though Ofcom have to fight illegal broadcasting, they do have some interesting reports of activities in London specifically and have independently interviewed both listeners and broadcasters - who feel there is a need for pirate stations.
The annex of this report makes interesting reading - it shows that Ofcom's general readership don't understand modern terms at all :)
2007/04/16
Apple - Final Cut Studio 2
Apple - Final Cut Studio 2
Apple announced the new Final Cut Studio 2 at NAB in Las Vegas.
It comes with Final Cut Pro 6, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Color, Compressor 3 and DVD Studio Pro 4.
These allow timeline editing of video (and audio). Motion produces impressive 3D motion graphics. Compressor supports many video formats which can be controlled by the click of a button and DVD Studio supports the production of SD and HD DVDs.
Apple have also released Final Cut Server which is a (templated) media asset system.
Apple announced the new Final Cut Studio 2 at NAB in Las Vegas.
It comes with Final Cut Pro 6, Motion 3, Soundtrack Pro 2, Color, Compressor 3 and DVD Studio Pro 4.
These allow timeline editing of video (and audio). Motion produces impressive 3D motion graphics. Compressor supports many video formats which can be controlled by the click of a button and DVD Studio supports the production of SD and HD DVDs.
Apple have also released Final Cut Server which is a (templated) media asset system.
2007/04/13
Backgrounder on Local Loop Unbundling in the UK at Digital-Lifestyles (alpha remix)
Backgrounder on Local Loop Unbundling in the UK at Digital-Lifestyles (alpha remix)
My article on LLU in the UK and the (un)economics of it all...
Enjoy the read.
My article on LLU in the UK and the (un)economics of it all...
Enjoy the read.
2007/04/12
Licence-Exemption Framework Review (LEFR) | Ofcom
Licence-Exemption Framework Review (LEFR) | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding a consultation on how they should approach License Exempt spectrum.
There are many issues: -
a) Should spectrum be reserved for exclusive licence-exempt use by a single wireless application (i.e. application-specific spectrum)? Or should multiple applications be allowed to share the spectrum (i.e. spectrum commons)?
b) What type of rules, if any, should be used to manage licence-exempt use of spectrum (e.g. rules of entry and operation within a spectrum commons)?
c) What is the relationship between light-licensing and licence-exemption? What are the circumstances under which one regime is preferable over the other?
d) Is there a frequency limit above which all spectrum use can be made exempt from licensing? If so, what is the value of this limit?
e) Is there a transmission power limit below which all emissions can be made exempt from licensing? If so, what is the value of this limit and how should it vary as a function of frequency?
f) What should our international stance towards licence-exemption be?
g) Should there be any degree of protection towards licence-exempt users of spectrum beyond our current legal obligations?
Ofcom also consider the commercial value of the spectrum and whether it would be better (more effectively) used in a license exempt or licensed manner.
The consultation closes on 21 June 2007.
Ofcom is holding a consultation on how they should approach License Exempt spectrum.
There are many issues: -
a) Should spectrum be reserved for exclusive licence-exempt use by a single wireless application (i.e. application-specific spectrum)? Or should multiple applications be allowed to share the spectrum (i.e. spectrum commons)?
b) What type of rules, if any, should be used to manage licence-exempt use of spectrum (e.g. rules of entry and operation within a spectrum commons)?
c) What is the relationship between light-licensing and licence-exemption? What are the circumstances under which one regime is preferable over the other?
d) Is there a frequency limit above which all spectrum use can be made exempt from licensing? If so, what is the value of this limit?
e) Is there a transmission power limit below which all emissions can be made exempt from licensing? If so, what is the value of this limit and how should it vary as a function of frequency?
f) What should our international stance towards licence-exemption be?
g) Should there be any degree of protection towards licence-exempt users of spectrum beyond our current legal obligations?
Ofcom also consider the commercial value of the spectrum and whether it would be better (more effectively) used in a license exempt or licensed manner.
The consultation closes on 21 June 2007.
Ofcom announced companies allowed to bid
Barablu Mobile Holding Limited and Personal Broadband UK Limited are eligable to bid for the 1785 - 1805 MHz Northern Ireland spectrum award.
2007/04/05
Apple launches quad core MacPros
Apple have released new MacPro desktop machines with quad core CPUs allowing up to 8 cores per machines.
They cost about £4,000 but they are bound to attract interest from the high end creatives.
Since Adobe have now launched CS3 (in various flavours) with native Mac/Intel support, the new machines will make a match in heaven for people using Photoshop and other applications that have a high pixel count etc.
Please find me one.
They cost about £4,000 but they are bound to attract interest from the high end creatives.
Since Adobe have now launched CS3 (in various flavours) with native Mac/Intel support, the new machines will make a match in heaven for people using Photoshop and other applications that have a high pixel count etc.
Please find me one.
Joost is very cool
Joost have launched their service in beta, these are the guys that set-up Kazaa and then Skype. It's an IPTV system that uses P2P. There's a description of how it all works on the UKNOF site (Manchester/UKNOF7).
It's currently in beta and works on invites where every now and again beta users get to invite other users.
Quality is actually pretty good though navigation is a bid odd and needs getting used to.
It's going to be big.
It's currently in beta and works on invites where every now and again beta users get to invite other users.
Quality is actually pretty good though navigation is a bid odd and needs getting used to.
It's going to be big.
2007/04/02
EMI to offer DRM free music through iTunes
EMI has ditched DRM for music sold through the iTunes store.
New music will be encoded at 256Kb/s (compared to current DRM encoded tracks at 128Kb/s), each track will cost 99p (compared to 79p for DRM encoded).
Users can automagically upgrade all their DRM tracks to non-DRM'ed tracks for 20p per track.
Future video content from EMI will not be DRM'ed and there will be no increase in price.
This is a major change for a big music label and hopefully is the way of things to come.
New music will be encoded at 256Kb/s (compared to current DRM encoded tracks at 128Kb/s), each track will cost 99p (compared to 79p for DRM encoded).
Users can automagically upgrade all their DRM tracks to non-DRM'ed tracks for 20p per track.
Future video content from EMI will not be DRM'ed and there will be no increase in price.
This is a major change for a big music label and hopefully is the way of things to come.
2007/03/30
Sony Computer Entertainment America Offers PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable) Users T-Mobile(R) Hotspot Access
Sony Computer Entertainment America Offers PSP(R)(PlayStation(R)Portable) Users T-Mobile(R) Hotspot Access
Sony has announced a deal with T-Mobile so PSP users can access the Internet via T-Mobile hotspots. This requires firmware v3.3 for the PSP (now available) which also adds further functionality like full screen video.
The offer allows 6 months "free" WiFi access, then a special price plan for PSP users.
Sony has announced a deal with T-Mobile so PSP users can access the Internet via T-Mobile hotspots. This requires firmware v3.3 for the PSP (now available) which also adds further functionality like full screen video.
The offer allows 6 months "free" WiFi access, then a special price plan for PSP users.
2007/03/29
Regulation of VoIP Services | Ofcom
Regulation of VoIP Services | Ofcom
Ofcom have today published initial regulations for VoIP providers.
The key points are: -
* If there is no 999 access the supplier must notify the user and get the user to SIGN to acknowledge it.
* If 999 services are not available there must be stickers/labels on hardware (or notices on software) which tell the user that they are not available.
* Ofcom wants everyone to offer 999 services. In doing so everyone will become PATS (public access telephony system). PATS means that they are compliant with various general conditions.
* Anyone offering a service in the UK is covered by the UK regulations whether operating from the UK or from a foreign country, however Ofcom does not have a solution for foreign operators who do not adhere to the regulations.
Anyone who is now PATS must accept porting requests immediately and can demand ports from any other PATS provider.
Ofcom is also going to consult on various other VoIP related issues in the coming months.
Ofcom have today published initial regulations for VoIP providers.
The key points are: -
* If there is no 999 access the supplier must notify the user and get the user to SIGN to acknowledge it.
* If 999 services are not available there must be stickers/labels on hardware (or notices on software) which tell the user that they are not available.
* Ofcom wants everyone to offer 999 services. In doing so everyone will become PATS (public access telephony system). PATS means that they are compliant with various general conditions.
* Anyone offering a service in the UK is covered by the UK regulations whether operating from the UK or from a foreign country, however Ofcom does not have a solution for foreign operators who do not adhere to the regulations.
Anyone who is now PATS must accept porting requests immediately and can demand ports from any other PATS provider.
Ofcom is also going to consult on various other VoIP related issues in the coming months.
2007/03/28
71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz Self Coordinated Links | Ofcom
71-76 GHz and 81-86 GHz Self Coordinated Links | Ofcom
Ofcom has made the 71-76 GHz paired with 81-86 GHz bands available for short range links. These paired bands are lightly licensed with a registration fee of £50 pa per link.
Anyone wishing to use equipment must first register the link (having obtained a license) in Ofcom's database. The license affords some measure of interference protection (though Ofcom will try not to get involved unless the interfering parties can not be contacted or resolve issues amongst themselves). A second link can not be registered if there is already a link in place. If a licensee complains of interference, Ofcom has the power to force a later (interfering) link to terminate operation.
The process of registration is currently manual, but this may change.
Though these bands have to potential to offer very high speed fixed links (there's 9GHz in each direction for a full-duplex operation) equipment is currently extremely expensive so it's unlikely to have widespread adoption. This is mainly due to exotic materials needing to be used as silicon does not function well (radio wise) above 10GHz.
There are also safety concerns as the radio waves are likely to be ionising.
However short-range point-to-point links can achieve multi-gigabit speeds suitable for LAN extension services.
Ofcom has made the 71-76 GHz paired with 81-86 GHz bands available for short range links. These paired bands are lightly licensed with a registration fee of £50 pa per link.
Anyone wishing to use equipment must first register the link (having obtained a license) in Ofcom's database. The license affords some measure of interference protection (though Ofcom will try not to get involved unless the interfering parties can not be contacted or resolve issues amongst themselves). A second link can not be registered if there is already a link in place. If a licensee complains of interference, Ofcom has the power to force a later (interfering) link to terminate operation.
The process of registration is currently manual, but this may change.
Though these bands have to potential to offer very high speed fixed links (there's 9GHz in each direction for a full-duplex operation) equipment is currently extremely expensive so it's unlikely to have widespread adoption. This is mainly due to exotic materials needing to be used as silicon does not function well (radio wise) above 10GHz.
There are also safety concerns as the radio waves are likely to be ionising.
However short-range point-to-point links can achieve multi-gigabit speeds suitable for LAN extension services.
2007/03/27
Adobe Creative Suite 3: Digit's in-depth guide
Digit Online
Adobe has announced what will be in the various CS3 packages.
The packages are: -
* Creative Suite 3 Design Standard. It includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, plus Acrobat 8 Professional which costs £760 plus VAT.
* The Design Premium bundle includes the above and the Extended version of Photoshop, and gains Dreamweaver and Flash Professional. It costs £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Web Standard is based around the ex-Macromedia core of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks and Contribute. It costs £600 plus VAT.
* The Premium version includes the above and adds adds Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Acrobat for £1,017 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Production Premium includes After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Flash Professional for £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Master Collection includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute, After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Acrobat, Bridge, Device Central CS3 for £1,675 plus VAT.
All Adobe software is version CS3 apart from Acrobat which is v8 (i.e. the currently released version).
The design and web versions will ship in April, Production Premium and Master Collection will ship late summer.
They'll run on MacOS X 10.4 (or higher) and XP and Vista. Some programs are Mac Intel only and some Windows only.
Adobe has announced what will be in the various CS3 packages.
The packages are: -
* Creative Suite 3 Design Standard. It includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, plus Acrobat 8 Professional which costs £760 plus VAT.
* The Design Premium bundle includes the above and the Extended version of Photoshop, and gains Dreamweaver and Flash Professional. It costs £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Web Standard is based around the ex-Macromedia core of Dreamweaver, Flash Professional, Fireworks and Contribute. It costs £600 plus VAT.
* The Premium version includes the above and adds adds Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Acrobat for £1,017 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Production Premium includes After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Photoshop Extended, Illustrator and Flash Professional for £1,199 plus VAT.
* Creative Suite 3 Master Collection includes InDesign, Illustrator, Photoshop, Flash Professional, Dreamweaver, Fireworks, Contribute, After Effects Professional, Premiere Pro, Soundbooth, Encore, OnLocation, Ultra, Acrobat, Bridge, Device Central CS3 for £1,675 plus VAT.
All Adobe software is version CS3 apart from Acrobat which is v8 (i.e. the currently released version).
The design and web versions will ship in April, Production Premium and Master Collection will ship late summer.
They'll run on MacOS X 10.4 (or higher) and XP and Vista. Some programs are Mac Intel only and some Windows only.
Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS): FAQs | Ofcom
Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS): FAQs | Ofcom
Ofcom has now made Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS) license exempt. CADS uses Citizen's Band Radio equipment and may be used to distribute live community events, such as religious services or council meetings. No commercial traffic/messages may be transmitted.
CB isn't as popular in the UK as in the US, but there are several tens of thousands of users.
Ofcom has now made Community Audio Distribution Services (CADS) license exempt. CADS uses Citizen's Band Radio equipment and may be used to distribute live community events, such as religious services or council meetings. No commercial traffic/messages may be transmitted.
CB isn't as popular in the UK as in the US, but there are several tens of thousands of users.
BT OSS Separation | Ofcom
BT OSS Separation | Ofcom
As part of BT's agreement with Ofcom (when BT Openreach was set-up) they have to seperate their OSS (operational support systems) so Openreach have completely seperate systems. Ofcom are proposing an ammendment to Section 5 (separation of systems shared between Openreach and the rest of BT) of the Enterprise Act Undertakings given by BT to Ofcom.
BT have to: -
* Physically separate Openreach OSS from the rest of BT by 30th June 2010
* Design all new Openreach systems to be separate from the rest of BT
* In the interim, until full physical separation is achieved, deliver a logically separate OSS capability for certain product groups according to binding milestones
* Review regularly with Ofcom a roadmap for achieving physical separation
Ofcom have also set-out interim measures for milestones up to the 2010 completion.
The consultation closes on 11/05/2007.
As part of BT's agreement with Ofcom (when BT Openreach was set-up) they have to seperate their OSS (operational support systems) so Openreach have completely seperate systems. Ofcom are proposing an ammendment to Section 5 (separation of systems shared between Openreach and the rest of BT) of the Enterprise Act Undertakings given by BT to Ofcom.
BT have to: -
* Physically separate Openreach OSS from the rest of BT by 30th June 2010
* Design all new Openreach systems to be separate from the rest of BT
* In the interim, until full physical separation is achieved, deliver a logically separate OSS capability for certain product groups according to binding milestones
* Review regularly with Ofcom a roadmap for achieving physical separation
Ofcom have also set-out interim measures for milestones up to the 2010 completion.
The consultation closes on 11/05/2007.
Procedures for the Management of Satellite Filings | Ofcom
Procedures for the Management of Satellite Filings | Ofcom
Ofcom's document describes the procedures that must be followed by companies or other organisations located in the United Kingdom (UK), British Overseas Territories, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, wishing to submit applications through the UK for the management and processing of satellite filings. It includes details of coordination and registration, in order to achieve international recognition under the ITU procedures.
Not very exciting, but an important document for anyone wishing to use satellite services.
Ofcom's document describes the procedures that must be followed by companies or other organisations located in the United Kingdom (UK), British Overseas Territories, the Channel Islands and the Isle of Man, wishing to submit applications through the UK for the management and processing of satellite filings. It includes details of coordination and registration, in order to achieve international recognition under the ITU procedures.
Not very exciting, but an important document for anyone wishing to use satellite services.
Ofcom announces new price controls on mobile operators
Ofcom has lowed the termination charges for mobile operators. O2, Orange, T-Mobile and Vodafone will now only be able to charge 5.1p per minute, while 3 will be able to charge 5.9p. It's the first time 3 have had termination charge controls.
BT has complained that the charges are still too high and the operators are subsidising their 3G licenses will termination revenue and that Ofcom has been pressurised by the operators. The EU has mandated that termination charges should be lowered and will look closely at Ofcom's business models to ensure that the pricing they set is realistic, if they feel Ofcom has favoured the operators the EU may force them to further lower termination charges.
This will take place from April 1st.
More importantly Ofcom are also going to hold a consultation into mobile number porting (MNP), currently mobile numbers can only be ported between the above "big 5" operators. There is a lot of industry interest in this as VoIP services come into play (mobile VoIP over wireless services) and also groups like the low power GSM (guard band) operators want porting, currently these types of players can not access the MNP systems.
BT has complained that the charges are still too high and the operators are subsidising their 3G licenses will termination revenue and that Ofcom has been pressurised by the operators. The EU has mandated that termination charges should be lowered and will look closely at Ofcom's business models to ensure that the pricing they set is realistic, if they feel Ofcom has favoured the operators the EU may force them to further lower termination charges.
This will take place from April 1st.
More importantly Ofcom are also going to hold a consultation into mobile number porting (MNP), currently mobile numbers can only be ported between the above "big 5" operators. There is a lot of industry interest in this as VoIP services come into play (mobile VoIP over wireless services) and also groups like the low power GSM (guard band) operators want porting, currently these types of players can not access the MNP systems.
Inquiry into premium rate telecoms services in television programmes | Ofcom
Inquiry into premium rate telecoms services in television programmes | Ofcom
Ofcom is holding an enquiry into premium rate services (PRS) in TV programs.
They will then publish results to ensure consumer confidence is restored.
Any PRS is already goverened by ICSTIS codes, but this is likely to expose some dubious practices by TV companies who use PRS for revenue generation.
Ofcom is holding an enquiry into premium rate services (PRS) in TV programs.
They will then publish results to ensure consumer confidence is restored.
Any PRS is already goverened by ICSTIS codes, but this is likely to expose some dubious practices by TV companies who use PRS for revenue generation.
Market investigation into the pay TV industry | Ofcom
Market investigation into the pay TV industry | Ofcom
Ofcom has received a submission from BT, Setanta, Top Up TV, and Virgin Media to investigate the pay TV industry and to consider whether they should be investigated by the Competition Commission under the Enterprise Act 2002.
Ofcom Consumer Panel and the National Consumer Council have also expressed concerned about BSkyB removing channels on Virgin Media's platform.
Sky have a virtual monopoly on a huge ammount of content and other payers want equal access. Sky will probably lose out in the long term, but in the meantime lots of Virgin Media customers are likely to migrate to Sky to gain access to prime shows like Lost, 24, BattleStar Galactica etc. Sky are even offering promotional pricing to attract cable customers. Virgin Media are not cash rich and losing droves of customers could put them in a very dangerous position in terms of city expectations.
Ofcom has received a submission from BT, Setanta, Top Up TV, and Virgin Media to investigate the pay TV industry and to consider whether they should be investigated by the Competition Commission under the Enterprise Act 2002.
Ofcom Consumer Panel and the National Consumer Council have also expressed concerned about BSkyB removing channels on Virgin Media's platform.
Sky have a virtual monopoly on a huge ammount of content and other payers want equal access. Sky will probably lose out in the long term, but in the meantime lots of Virgin Media customers are likely to migrate to Sky to gain access to prime shows like Lost, 24, BattleStar Galactica etc. Sky are even offering promotional pricing to attract cable customers. Virgin Media are not cash rich and losing droves of customers could put them in a very dangerous position in terms of city expectations.
Variation of UK Broadband Limited Wireless TelegraphyAct Licences
Last week Ofcom agreed to merge UK Broadband's 3 seperate 3.4GHz licenses into 1 national license. UK Broadband is owned by PCCW the Hong Kong company.
UK Broadband won 13 of the 15 regional 3.4GHz licenses, then acquired the other 2 and now these seperate licenses (which all the the same conditions etc, apart from region) will become a single license.
UK Broadband have also asked for the licenses to become technology neutral (as per Ofcom recent policy in-line with EU policy) and to change the conditions (which is likely to be to allow mobile/nomadic use - currently the license only allows fixed links).
Having a national license in the middle of the usable WiMAX spectrum range is a very valuable commodity, though PCCW may not have the resource to roll-out a national service (backhaul is extremely expensive), but as a single national license they could sell it on to another operator (like BT) who want to roll out mobility solutions (and high speed broadband to rural areas).
UK Broadband won 13 of the 15 regional 3.4GHz licenses, then acquired the other 2 and now these seperate licenses (which all the the same conditions etc, apart from region) will become a single license.
UK Broadband have also asked for the licenses to become technology neutral (as per Ofcom recent policy in-line with EU policy) and to change the conditions (which is likely to be to allow mobile/nomadic use - currently the license only allows fixed links).
Having a national license in the middle of the usable WiMAX spectrum range is a very valuable commodity, though PCCW may not have the resource to roll-out a national service (backhaul is extremely expensive), but as a single national license they could sell it on to another operator (like BT) who want to roll out mobility solutions (and high speed broadband to rural areas).
2007/03/26
Symbian announces Symbian OS v9.5
Symbian announces Symbian OS v9.5
Symbian has released Symbian OS 9.5, this has their POSIX interface and a SQL database built-in. It also has improvements for memory management and processors meaning applications will run faster and more efficiently.
Symbian have also announced support for the new ® Cortex™-A8 processor currently running on Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) OMAP3430 application processor which can offer around 3 times the performance of current processors.
It will take a while for both the OS and devices based on the new CPU to appear though.
Symbian has released Symbian OS 9.5, this has their POSIX interface and a SQL database built-in. It also has improvements for memory management and processors meaning applications will run faster and more efficiently.
Symbian have also announced support for the new ® Cortex™-A8 processor currently running on Texas Instruments Incorporated (TI) OMAP3430 application processor which can offer around 3 times the performance of current processors.
It will take a while for both the OS and devices based on the new CPU to appear though.
2007/03/16
Microsoft buys Tellme
Tellme produce voice recognition software, companies like FedEx utilise their technology.
MS are likely to integrate the Tellme voice recognition software into their an on-line collaboration service or even LCS (live communication server) which was released in beta this week.
Tellme had solutions for Linux and other open source variants, but will MS now kill these as it has done in the past with other companies it has acquired.
MS are likely to integrate the Tellme voice recognition software into their an on-line collaboration service or even LCS (live communication server) which was released in beta this week.
Tellme had solutions for Linux and other open source variants, but will MS now kill these as it has done in the past with other companies it has acquired.
Cisco buys WebEx
Cisco bought WebEx the on-line conferencing company for $3.2bn, which values each of WebEx's 28,000 customers at $145,000.
Cisco certainly didn't buy them for the customers, but for the services and services revenue.
Cisco are now likely to be very interested in the IMS space.
Cisco certainly didn't buy them for the customers, but for the services and services revenue.
Cisco are now likely to be very interested in the IMS space.
2007/03/15
Award of available spectrum: 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz—10 GHz and the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games | Ofcom
Award of available spectrum: 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz—10 GHz and the London 2012 Olympic Games and Paralympic Games | Ofcom
Ofcom are planning to auction the 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz bands and have held various consultations on these bands and are proposing to make them available via various auctions (200 MHz of the 10 GHz band is utilised by the MoD).
The Olympic Games are due to be held in East London in 2012 and 10 GHz is suitable for video links and wireless cameras. Ofcom (as part of guarantees made by the UK government) is to make spectrum available for the Olympics free of charge.
Since there will be many broadcasters at the Olympics in 2012 and in test events in 2010, Ofcom are looking at making 10 GHz available, so if Ofcom issue a license or licenses the license(s) will have to take this into account.
Ofcom are holding a consultation and comments should be submitted by 12 April 2007.
Ofcom are planning to auction the 10 GHz, 28 GHz, 32 GHz and 40 GHz bands and have held various consultations on these bands and are proposing to make them available via various auctions (200 MHz of the 10 GHz band is utilised by the MoD).
The Olympic Games are due to be held in East London in 2012 and 10 GHz is suitable for video links and wireless cameras. Ofcom (as part of guarantees made by the UK government) is to make spectrum available for the Olympics free of charge.
Since there will be many broadcasters at the Olympics in 2012 and in test events in 2010, Ofcom are looking at making 10 GHz available, so if Ofcom issue a license or licenses the license(s) will have to take this into account.
Ofcom are holding a consultation and comments should be submitted by 12 April 2007.
2007/03/13
1785-1805 MHz in Northern Ireland
Ofcom are holding an auction for a license in Northern Ireland for spectrum in 1785-1805 MHz.
Applications must be submitted to Ofcom on 21st march 2007 between 10.00 and 15.00. They can be made to Ofcom's London office at
Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA
or their Northern Ireland office at
Landmark House, 5 Cromac Quay, The Gasworks, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JD
Applications must be submitted to Ofcom on 21st march 2007 between 10.00 and 15.00. They can be made to Ofcom's London office at
Riverside House, 2a Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 9HA
or their Northern Ireland office at
Landmark House, 5 Cromac Quay, The Gasworks, Ormeau Road, Belfast BT7 2JD
Conditions regulating Sexual Entertainment Services
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.
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.
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.
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