Facebook's $200M Investment Values Co. At $10B - NYTimes.com
It seems Facebook has been given a $200m boost for 2% of stock valuing the company at $10bn. This is significantly less that the $15bn that Microsoft's $240m stack valued them at. The investment came from Digital Sky Technologies which is a Russian outfit.
Guessing it would seem Facebook have had internal differences about creating revenue or increasing the user base (Facebook now has around 200m active users). The co-founder left the company allegedly for wishing to increase revenues and more recently the CFO left too (he wanted to increase revenues) but the official reason was that he wasn't suitable for an IPO.
This will give Facebook some breathing space allowing them to continue operations as their advertising and other revenues do not yet meet their spend. At some point revenues must become the primary focus for the company or they'll run out of cash.
2009/05/18
Orange (UK) reports 500% increase in Dongles
Orange has reported that there has been a 500% increase in the number of dongles sold compared to six months ago. Data now accounts for 25% of their revenues.
Data usage increased to 386,000GB downloaded last month.
Customers with 3G phones or dongles increased to 3.824m at the end of Q1/09.
Data usage increased to 386,000GB downloaded last month.
Customers with 3G phones or dongles increased to 3.824m at the end of Q1/09.
2009/05/17
Vodafone drops roaming charges
Vodafone is dropping roaming charges in 45 areas from June through August. The announcement comes before the EU Commission is to make an announcement on capping roaming charges.
Although the current deal expires after August, Vodafone may well extend the offer depending on how well it goes. They're potentially going to steal customers from other networks as the holiday season starts.
The counties and areas covered are Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroes, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Vatican City.
Will the other operators follow suit? Maybe including USA which Vodafone have missed off (preumably as Vodafone have networks in these areas and can move traffic across their own network).
Although the current deal expires after August, Vodafone may well extend the offer depending on how well it goes. They're potentially going to steal customers from other networks as the holiday season starts.
The counties and areas covered are Albania, Andorra, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia, Bulgaria, Canary Islands, Channel Islands, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Faroes, Finland, France, Germany, Gibraltar, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Isle of Man, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madeira, Malta, Monaco, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Ireland, Romania, San Marino, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, The Netherlands, Vatican City.
Will the other operators follow suit? Maybe including USA which Vodafone have missed off (preumably as Vodafone have networks in these areas and can move traffic across their own network).
2009/05/12
Enforcement Report | Ofcom
Enforcement Report | Ofcom
In 2008 Ofcom fined broadcasters almost £7.83m for breaches of the broadcasting code, companies were fined over £100,000 for breaking the rules on silent calls and 28 people were prosecuted for illegally broadcasting (pirate radio).
The money of course goes to the UK treasury and not to Ofcom and several of these fines have come from public broadcasters who get their money from the public in the first place - so they end up as a tax to the consumer.
Ofcom could probably prosecure many more pirate radio stations, it's just too much like hard work and they only go after the big ones.
In 2008 Ofcom fined broadcasters almost £7.83m for breaches of the broadcasting code, companies were fined over £100,000 for breaking the rules on silent calls and 28 people were prosecuted for illegally broadcasting (pirate radio).
The money of course goes to the UK treasury and not to Ofcom and several of these fines have come from public broadcasters who get their money from the public in the first place - so they end up as a tax to the consumer.
Ofcom could probably prosecure many more pirate radio stations, it's just too much like hard work and they only go after the big ones.
2009/05/08
Carphone Warehouse to acquire Tiscali UK
Carphone Warehouse (CPW) are acquiring the assets of Tiscali UK for £236m from Tiscali (Italy).
Tiscali have been up for sale for some time as broadband economics worsen and competition increases. Both BSkyB and CPW have been rumoured to be in the running as well as outsiders like BT.
It seems CPW have got to the finishing post and they'll gain Tiscali's infrastructure and customers. CPW's customer base will increase to 4.25m making them the largest UK (home) broadband provider. There's going to be considerable overlap in infrastructure and staff so CPW will likely make sweeping cuts in both. Tiscali's IPTV platform (previously HomeChoice) will give CPW an edge to compete with BT Vision and whatever Sky are planning. Tiscali only managed to achieve 100,000 IPTV customers (they wanted double that) and maybe CPW will be able to get that out to all their customers.
If CPW can utilise the extra infrastructure and minimise costs then they may be one of the larger players that survives the broadband commoditisation game.
Tiscali have been up for sale for some time as broadband economics worsen and competition increases. Both BSkyB and CPW have been rumoured to be in the running as well as outsiders like BT.
It seems CPW have got to the finishing post and they'll gain Tiscali's infrastructure and customers. CPW's customer base will increase to 4.25m making them the largest UK (home) broadband provider. There's going to be considerable overlap in infrastructure and staff so CPW will likely make sweeping cuts in both. Tiscali's IPTV platform (previously HomeChoice) will give CPW an edge to compete with BT Vision and whatever Sky are planning. Tiscali only managed to achieve 100,000 IPTV customers (they wanted double that) and maybe CPW will be able to get that out to all their customers.
If CPW can utilise the extra infrastructure and minimise costs then they may be one of the larger players that survives the broadband commoditisation game.
2009/04/29
Comcast turns down Joost
Joost who raised $45m in 2007 are up for sale and have been touting themselves to cable companies where there could be a good fit.
Initially Joost tried to tempt customers with a standalone P2P video player (using the same underlying technology as Skype) but have since moved to a web based model.
Now being one of many web based system, they're facing increased competition and struggling to win customers and advertising revenue with less than 1m unique monthly visitors.
It seems Comcast have passed on purchasing them. Joost do have a decent underlying technology solution which could be utilised by an emerging IPTV player rather than developing their own.
Initially Joost tried to tempt customers with a standalone P2P video player (using the same underlying technology as Skype) but have since moved to a web based model.
Now being one of many web based system, they're facing increased competition and struggling to win customers and advertising revenue with less than 1m unique monthly visitors.
It seems Comcast have passed on purchasing them. Joost do have a decent underlying technology solution which could be utilised by an emerging IPTV player rather than developing their own.
2009/04/27
Tiscali Discusses Sale of U.K. Assets - WSJ.com
Tiscali Discusses Sale of U.K. Assets - WSJ.com
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Tiscali (Italy) is in advanced negotiations with Carphone Warehouse with respect to the sale of Tiscali UK.
Tiscali (UK) has been on the market for over a year and there have been various rumours about their sale. They acquired HomeChoice (VideoNetworks) who had 30,000 IPTV customers, Tiscali increased this to 100,000 which was still half of their 200,000 target.
Carphone Warehouse could add Tiscali's customer base to their network (they'd dump overlapped network), but the IPTV infrastructure could be of interest as it will give them a competing service to BT Vision and whatever Sky are going to launch when they get their IPTV act together.
Sky are also rumoured to be be a suitor.
The Wall Street Journal is reporting that Tiscali (Italy) is in advanced negotiations with Carphone Warehouse with respect to the sale of Tiscali UK.
Tiscali (UK) has been on the market for over a year and there have been various rumours about their sale. They acquired HomeChoice (VideoNetworks) who had 30,000 IPTV customers, Tiscali increased this to 100,000 which was still half of their 200,000 target.
Carphone Warehouse could add Tiscali's customer base to their network (they'd dump overlapped network), but the IPTV infrastructure could be of interest as it will give them a competing service to BT Vision and whatever Sky are going to launch when they get their IPTV act together.
Sky are also rumoured to be be a suitor.
Changes to 0870 | Ofcom
Changes to 0870 | Ofcom
In the future 0870 numbers will be charged at the same rate as national number (i.e. those numbers beginning with 01, 02 or 03). Communications providers will also have to include 0870 numbers in any bundles they offer.
This is good news for consumers as many companies use 0870 numbers as revenue streams and most providers do not include those numbers in any kind of inclusive minutes (though BT has been offering inclusive 0870 minutes for a while and "taking the hit"). Mobile operators will also have to include 0870's in their mobile tariffs as they usually charge a hefty premium for calling these number ranges.
In the future 0870 numbers will be charged at the same rate as national number (i.e. those numbers beginning with 01, 02 or 03). Communications providers will also have to include 0870 numbers in any bundles they offer.
This is good news for consumers as many companies use 0870 numbers as revenue streams and most providers do not include those numbers in any kind of inclusive minutes (though BT has been offering inclusive 0870 minutes for a while and "taking the hit"). Mobile operators will also have to include 0870's in their mobile tariffs as they usually charge a hefty premium for calling these number ranges.
Femtocells support mobile phones in developing nations
Femtocells support mobile phones in developing nations
CSL has produced a reference design for a GSM/GPRS/EDGE/E-EDGE femtocell (called Centaur) based on a picoChip software defined radio.
Many operators are focusing on 3G femtocells, which are much easier to integrate into existing networks. CSL feel that 2G femtocells will be useful in emerging markets where 3G may not be widely adopted.
2G femtocells will also be useful in the UK where the low power GSM operators such as UK01 can utilise them.
CSL has produced a reference design for a GSM/GPRS/EDGE/E-EDGE femtocell (called Centaur) based on a picoChip software defined radio.
Many operators are focusing on 3G femtocells, which are much easier to integrate into existing networks. CSL feel that 2G femtocells will be useful in emerging markets where 3G may not be widely adopted.
2G femtocells will also be useful in the UK where the low power GSM operators such as UK01 can utilise them.
2009/04/26
iPlotz: wireframing, mockups and prototyping for websites and applications
iPlotz: wireframing, mockups and prototyping for websites and applications
iPlotz seems to be the answer to many a web designer's prayer or should that be dream. It's an on-line system allowing wire-framing of sites so they can be viewed by other developers or even customers to ensure they have the right look and feel before any major coding is done. There's also some basic project management functionality so different wire-frames can be assigned as different tasks.
The combination of tools allows complex designs to be simulated while allowing the designer complete flexibility. Wire-framed items can perform actions such as jumping between pages, loading graphics etc so some site functionality is even available.
There's an on-line version at iPlotz and there's a downloadable version available as well. The downloadable version requires Adobe AIR.
Though some knowledge of how a site is put together, this is even useful for pre-design stages so that technical users could mock-up the functionality of a system then pass the mock-up to a designer to prettify. There's also scope for use in pitches before a site has even got to the drawing board (well iPlotz is the drawing board).
Having been on the thought stages of several sites where various Powerpoint or other static pages have been built, iPlotz would have given the extra flexibility to show how things fitted together and would have saved several days worth of re-jigging buttons or inter-page actions.
iPlotz uses the Freemium model whereby it's free to sign-up and that gives access to 1 project which is limited to 5 pages. There's a $15/m plan (on-line access to unlimited projects and 1GB storage). The downloadable version costs $75 (again there's a free trial), but the downloadable version is included in the $99/yr package (so you get 12 months which would normally be $180 and the $75 downloadable version). There are also 5 and 10 multi user versions for $295 and $495 per year respectively.
Definitely worth a look if you're building websites or a business based on a future website.
Get me Credit
iPlotz seems to be the answer to many a web designer's prayer or should that be dream. It's an on-line system allowing wire-framing of sites so they can be viewed by other developers or even customers to ensure they have the right look and feel before any major coding is done. There's also some basic project management functionality so different wire-frames can be assigned as different tasks.
The combination of tools allows complex designs to be simulated while allowing the designer complete flexibility. Wire-framed items can perform actions such as jumping between pages, loading graphics etc so some site functionality is even available.
There's an on-line version at iPlotz and there's a downloadable version available as well. The downloadable version requires Adobe AIR.
Though some knowledge of how a site is put together, this is even useful for pre-design stages so that technical users could mock-up the functionality of a system then pass the mock-up to a designer to prettify. There's also scope for use in pitches before a site has even got to the drawing board (well iPlotz is the drawing board).
Having been on the thought stages of several sites where various Powerpoint or other static pages have been built, iPlotz would have given the extra flexibility to show how things fitted together and would have saved several days worth of re-jigging buttons or inter-page actions.
iPlotz uses the Freemium model whereby it's free to sign-up and that gives access to 1 project which is limited to 5 pages. There's a $15/m plan (on-line access to unlimited projects and 1GB storage). The downloadable version costs $75 (again there's a free trial), but the downloadable version is included in the $99/yr package (so you get 12 months which would normally be $180 and the $75 downloadable version). There are also 5 and 10 multi user versions for $295 and $495 per year respectively.
Definitely worth a look if you're building websites or a business based on a future website.
Get me Credit
2009/04/25
3 UK attacks churn with disruptive free Skype offer - Rethink Wireless
3 UK attacks churn with disruptive free Skype offer - Rethink Wireless
Skype is offering any of its customers free Skype to Skype calls (and instant messaging), this works for pay as you go and contract phones.
Currently phones must be bought from Skype, but in summer they'll also allow any unlocked phones with a 3 SIM.
This may not make 3 any money, but it's likely to attract new customers who 3 can then hopefully sell more services to later.
Skype is offering any of its customers free Skype to Skype calls (and instant messaging), this works for pay as you go and contract phones.
Currently phones must be bought from Skype, but in summer they'll also allow any unlocked phones with a 3 SIM.
This may not make 3 any money, but it's likely to attract new customers who 3 can then hopefully sell more services to later.
2009/04/20
Oracle and MySQL further thoughts
Oracle produce a high-end database, they already have an open source database Berkeley DB which they obtained by purchasing Sleepycat Software.
Oracle also owns Innobase Oy who develop InnoDB which is the transactional database used by MySQL.
It's unlikely Oracle would kill MySQL which is the main user of Innobase's products, therefore it's more likely that Innobase and MySQL will be combined in some way and both sit under the Oracle banner.
Sun are already optimising MySQL for Solaris, Oracle are likely to promote efforts in these areas so Solaris is THE OS for databases.
This can only be a good tbing for MySQL.
Oracle also owns Innobase Oy who develop InnoDB which is the transactional database used by MySQL.
It's unlikely Oracle would kill MySQL which is the main user of Innobase's products, therefore it's more likely that Innobase and MySQL will be combined in some way and both sit under the Oracle banner.
Sun are already optimising MySQL for Solaris, Oracle are likely to promote efforts in these areas so Solaris is THE OS for databases.
This can only be a good tbing for MySQL.
Oracle to Buy Sun - Yahoo! Finance
Oracle to Buy Sun - Yahoo! Finance
Sun and Oracle have entered into a definative agreement for Oracle to purchase Sun.
Oracle will acquire Sun common stock for $9.50 per share in cash. This values Sun at about $7.4bn.
Oracle can utilise Sun's Solaris and Java platforms (and may even keep the hardware business going so they have an optimised hardware base which will allow Oracle appliances etc.). However the future of MySQL has not been mentioned and may not be so rosy.
Oracle may well drop MySQL and leave it to the community to keep going.
Sun and Oracle have entered into a definative agreement for Oracle to purchase Sun.
Oracle will acquire Sun common stock for $9.50 per share in cash. This values Sun at about $7.4bn.
Oracle can utilise Sun's Solaris and Java platforms (and may even keep the hardware business going so they have an optimised hardware base which will allow Oracle appliances etc.). However the future of MySQL has not been mentioned and may not be so rosy.
Oracle may well drop MySQL and leave it to the community to keep going.
2009/04/14
Continuing the Meeja exposure
TechFluffTV reports on start-up news in Europe and low and behold I'm performing an escalator pitch for Textic.
It's only 30secs and here's the YouTube direct link.
It's only 30secs and here's the YouTube direct link.
2009/04/13
Channel 4 - News - Amazon website censorship row
Channel 4 - News - Amazon website censorship row
Amazon US are allegedly censoring goods that have a gay or lesbian theme. If searches are made on the front page, items wont show up at all though they will search up in the sub categories such as books etc, but without seller ratings.
Obviously people are quite upset about this if Amazon are censoring items, though they claim it's a glitch.
There has been a big Twitter backlash against Amazon (using the hashtag #amazonfail) urging people to complain.
Channel 4 News did a piece about it. I was interviewed about the Twitter part which is just before the end of the clip.
Amazon US are allegedly censoring goods that have a gay or lesbian theme. If searches are made on the front page, items wont show up at all though they will search up in the sub categories such as books etc, but without seller ratings.
Obviously people are quite upset about this if Amazon are censoring items, though they claim it's a glitch.
There has been a big Twitter backlash against Amazon (using the hashtag #amazonfail) urging people to complain.
Channel 4 News did a piece about it. I was interviewed about the Twitter part which is just before the end of the clip.
Another kick in the teeth for troubled Tiscali as IPTV subscribers dwindle - Broadband Genie
Another kick in the teeth for troubled Tiscali as IPTV subscribers dwindle - Broadband Genie
It seems Tiscali's IPTV service had reached 100,000 users by the end of 2008, which all sounds pretty good. Unfortunately they were expecting to have 200,000 users which means they only achieved 50% of their target which isn't such a good figure. They may also have lost 64,000'ish broadband customers.
Tiscali UK have been up for sale for a while and this may reduce their chance of a quick sale (or increase their chance of being sold off as a firesale).
It seems Tiscali's IPTV service had reached 100,000 users by the end of 2008, which all sounds pretty good. Unfortunately they were expecting to have 200,000 users which means they only achieved 50% of their target which isn't such a good figure. They may also have lost 64,000'ish broadband customers.
Tiscali UK have been up for sale for a while and this may reduce their chance of a quick sale (or increase their chance of being sold off as a firesale).
2009/04/08
2009/04/06
Netgear releases ReadyNAS NVX
Netgear's ReadyNAS products are really nice home/office shared network resources. The NV+ has been around for a while, then the PRO came out which increased the bay count to 6 (from 4) offered dual network interfaces and faster processors based on Intel chips.
Netgear have now introduced the NVX which is a four bay design but (I guess) also Intel processors. As well as NFS, CIFS, AFS, FTP, http and other network sharing protocols the NVX now supports iSCSI as well.
Mac users have recently had improvements and a ReadyNAS can act as a Time Machine server for network back-ups and restore directly integrating with the Apple Time Machine client which is integrated into MacOS 10.5.
NetVault is a new service introduced by Netgear where ReadyNAS users can back-up their NAS's over the Internet and pay a monthly fee. The pricing seems to be based on whether the back-up is performed by a home user or business.
Currently in beta is Remote, a client which will allow remote users to natively access a ReadyNAS even if it's behind a firewall etc. It sits on Windows or MacOS and the ReadyNAS appears as a local disk.
Retail pricing is about $1,500 for a ReadyNAS NVX including 2TB of disk.
Netgear have now introduced the NVX which is a four bay design but (I guess) also Intel processors. As well as NFS, CIFS, AFS, FTP, http and other network sharing protocols the NVX now supports iSCSI as well.
Mac users have recently had improvements and a ReadyNAS can act as a Time Machine server for network back-ups and restore directly integrating with the Apple Time Machine client which is integrated into MacOS 10.5.
NetVault is a new service introduced by Netgear where ReadyNAS users can back-up their NAS's over the Internet and pay a monthly fee. The pricing seems to be based on whether the back-up is performed by a home user or business.
Currently in beta is Remote, a client which will allow remote users to natively access a ReadyNAS even if it's behind a firewall etc. It sits on Windows or MacOS and the ReadyNAS appears as a local disk.
Retail pricing is about $1,500 for a ReadyNAS NVX including 2TB of disk.
Today is data logging day
The UK law comes into force today (based on an EU directive) that means ISPs and telcos have to keep records of emails and phone calls for up to a year.
Well telcos have already been keeping records of telephone calls because they have to bill calls and billing records have to be kept for seven years anyway.
The story for ISPs is slightly different (and potentially unworkable). If a customer uses their ISPs mail server to send out Email then the ISP has to record the time, the originator and the recipients of the Email. They don't have to log the contents (which would mean huge storage costs).
If a customer sends out their own Email without going through the ISP mail server, it obviously wont be logged. ISPs can force Email traffic to go through their servers (though this can be circumvented too if the customer tries hard enough).
Since most large ISPs (in the UK) are implementing what was known as Cleanfeed (the system that allows ISPs to block content based on an IWF blacklist), they can also use that system to log web requests.
Logging data can be a huge burden for ISPs as the volumes get very large very quickly.
Well telcos have already been keeping records of telephone calls because they have to bill calls and billing records have to be kept for seven years anyway.
The story for ISPs is slightly different (and potentially unworkable). If a customer uses their ISPs mail server to send out Email then the ISP has to record the time, the originator and the recipients of the Email. They don't have to log the contents (which would mean huge storage costs).
If a customer sends out their own Email without going through the ISP mail server, it obviously wont be logged. ISPs can force Email traffic to go through their servers (though this can be circumvented too if the customer tries hard enough).
Since most large ISPs (in the UK) are implementing what was known as Cleanfeed (the system that allows ISPs to block content based on an IWF blacklist), they can also use that system to log web requests.
Logging data can be a huge burden for ISPs as the volumes get very large very quickly.
2009/04/05
iPodRip - Giveaway
iPodRip - Giveaway
iPodRip are giving away some nice iPod prizes.
It's actually a nice program that allows you to get the music off your iPod (i.e. it does the opposite of iTunes).
iPodRip are giving away some nice iPod prizes.
It's actually a nice program that allows you to get the music off your iPod (i.e. it does the opposite of iTunes).
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