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.
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.
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