After losing its long-running battle for ownership of Unix copyrights last month, SCO has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
Though SCO say their business isn't affected, their long standing argument over ownership of UNIX code and whether various Linux compenents have UNIX code in them, has made them unpopular very unpopular.
Many people wont be sad if they go under, though it will be a shame as they were pioneers when UNIX was originally being developed.
2007/09/18
Sprint announced FemtoCell Airwave service
Sprint has announced its long awaited Airwave service using FemtoCells from Samsung (CDMA).
These are used in the home and utilise broadband for backhaul to Sprints network. When a user's Sprint mobile is in the vicinity of the cell it will use that instead of Sprint's main cell sites. Calls will be heavily discounted or free when in range of the femto cell.
More networks will adopt femto cells as they allow cheaper calls to be offered and high data rate services. The main issue with femto cells is they need licensed spectrum which is scarce in lots of countries.
These are used in the home and utilise broadband for backhaul to Sprints network. When a user's Sprint mobile is in the vicinity of the cell it will use that instead of Sprint's main cell sites. Calls will be heavily discounted or free when in range of the femto cell.
More networks will adopt femto cells as they allow cheaper calls to be offered and high data rate services. The main issue with femto cells is they need licensed spectrum which is scarce in lots of countries.
Zimbra purchased by Yahoo
Zimbra who make the Zimbra Collaboration Suite (or ZCS) have announced they've been purchased by Yahoo.
ZCS is an Email/calendaring/etc suite with support for standard mail protocols and also plug-ins for Outlook etc. It also supports Microsoft's ActiveSync for over the air push Email.
ZCS comes in various flavours including an open source edition and they've stated this will continue to be the case even after the Yahoo purchase.
ZCS is a reasonable UN*X based competitor to Microsoft's Exchange, maybe Yahoo will give it the market distribution it deserves.
ZCS is an Email/calendaring/etc suite with support for standard mail protocols and also plug-ins for Outlook etc. It also supports Microsoft's ActiveSync for over the air push Email.
ZCS comes in various flavours including an open source edition and they've stated this will continue to be the case even after the Yahoo purchase.
ZCS is a reasonable UN*X based competitor to Microsoft's Exchange, maybe Yahoo will give it the market distribution it deserves.
UK Apple iPhone deal announced
Steve Jobs was in Apple's UK Regent Street store to announce the deal with O2 for the iPhone which is going to be available on November 9th.
Suprisingly it's not a 3G phone, it will still only support E.D.G.E. as does the US variant. This will mean O2 have a lot of work to do to upgrade all their basestations to support E.D.G.E, though customers have reported that some cells are already showing E.D.G.E capability.
Pricing plans start at £35 per month for 200 minutes and 200 texts with unlimited data, this also gives unlimited WiFi access (via the Cloud). Higher rates give more voice minutes and texts.
Maybe the 16GB version will support 3G, which must be due soon ... giving Apple the ability to sell to the next generation of iPhone users and getting everyone who'se going to buy one at launch the opportunity to upgrade.
Suprisingly it's not a 3G phone, it will still only support E.D.G.E. as does the US variant. This will mean O2 have a lot of work to do to upgrade all their basestations to support E.D.G.E, though customers have reported that some cells are already showing E.D.G.E capability.
Pricing plans start at £35 per month for 200 minutes and 200 texts with unlimited data, this also gives unlimited WiFi access (via the Cloud). Higher rates give more voice minutes and texts.
Maybe the 16GB version will support 3G, which must be due soon ... giving Apple the ability to sell to the next generation of iPhone users and getting everyone who'se going to buy one at launch the opportunity to upgrade.
2007/09/14
Apple special event Sept 18th
Apple are inviting journalists to a special event on September the 18th.
Speculation is the announcement of the new European 3G iPhone and the EU partners (O2 in UK?).
Speculation is the announcement of the new European 3G iPhone and the EU partners (O2 in UK?).
2007/09/13
P2P GSM
A Swedish company TerraNet has developed a peer to peer GSM technology that can be built in to a standard handset.
This means that calls between TerraNet enabled handsets don't go through the normal GSM operators' networks, but directly between handsets.
Though range is limited between handsets (around 1Km), the system can mesh handsets and hop calls through multiple handsets. This is also true for connection to a standard GSM network, so if handset A is within range of a basestation it can relay calls through it and extend the distance.
Most countries are likely to prohibit P2P GSM as the operators' license covers the handsets as well (they transmit and receive radio communication, therefore each handset requires a license - under the UK regime anyway) and most operators aren't likely to support the technology as it's a very quick way to reduce their call revenue.
However in countries that have limited coverage, operators might encourage this use.
In the UK there is potentially a way forward as the low power GSM Guard Band licensees might well be able to offer this technology within their license which would be completely disruptive to the MNOs.
This means that calls between TerraNet enabled handsets don't go through the normal GSM operators' networks, but directly between handsets.
Though range is limited between handsets (around 1Km), the system can mesh handsets and hop calls through multiple handsets. This is also true for connection to a standard GSM network, so if handset A is within range of a basestation it can relay calls through it and extend the distance.
Most countries are likely to prohibit P2P GSM as the operators' license covers the handsets as well (they transmit and receive radio communication, therefore each handset requires a license - under the UK regime anyway) and most operators aren't likely to support the technology as it's a very quick way to reduce their call revenue.
However in countries that have limited coverage, operators might encourage this use.
In the UK there is potentially a way forward as the low power GSM Guard Band licensees might well be able to offer this technology within their license which would be completely disruptive to the MNOs.
2007/09/05
Apple releases new iPods
As expected Apple announced updated and new iPods.
The Shuffle gains new colours.
The Nano's are now fully metal and support video as well as things like CoverFlow.
iPod Classic is now all metal in 80GB and 160GB (and thinner than current models and with longer battery life), also with CoverFlow.
The new iPod Touch comes in 8GB and 16GB models and includes WiFi (basically an iPhone without the phone).
The 4GB iPhone has been dropped and the 8GB version reduced by $200 to $399.
Apple have also done a deal with Starbucks which allows buying of the last 10 played songs via in-store WiFi. It's not clear whether the iPod/Phone will be able to use WiFi for anything else though (without paying for it).
As the iPod Touch comes in a 16GB version, it's likely the iPhone will too at some point.
The Shuffle gains new colours.
The Nano's are now fully metal and support video as well as things like CoverFlow.
iPod Classic is now all metal in 80GB and 160GB (and thinner than current models and with longer battery life), also with CoverFlow.
The new iPod Touch comes in 8GB and 16GB models and includes WiFi (basically an iPhone without the phone).
The 4GB iPhone has been dropped and the 8GB version reduced by $200 to $399.
Apple have also done a deal with Starbucks which allows buying of the last 10 played songs via in-store WiFi. It's not clear whether the iPod/Phone will be able to use WiFi for anything else though (without paying for it).
As the iPod Touch comes in a 16GB version, it's likely the iPhone will too at some point.
2007/08/28
iPhone hacked
It looks like the iPhone can now work on non-ATandT SIMs.
However it also looks like Apple/ATandT may be getting their legal guns aimed and ready to fire on anyone offering software that will completely unlock the iPhone.
A UK company was going to sell software to unlock the iPhone, but a now rethinking after a call from ATandT lawayers at 3am UK time.
Though it would be fun to use an iPhone with a UK SIM, unless data rates drop considerably (though do-able on T-Mobile and 3) using an iPhone in the UK could prove a very costly business.
Better wait until O2 officially announce their deal with Apple for the UK and see what their pricing is.
However it also looks like Apple/ATandT may be getting their legal guns aimed and ready to fire on anyone offering software that will completely unlock the iPhone.
A UK company was going to sell software to unlock the iPhone, but a now rethinking after a call from ATandT lawayers at 3am UK time.
Though it would be fun to use an iPhone with a UK SIM, unless data rates drop considerably (though do-able on T-Mobile and 3) using an iPhone in the UK could prove a very costly business.
Better wait until O2 officially announce their deal with Apple for the UK and see what their pricing is.
Adobe updates Flash9 player
The updated player is available from Adobe Labs. It now supports H.264 video streaming which allows for HD content to be displayed (up to 1080p).
It's still a beta product, but Adobe is fending off other players.
It's still a beta product, but Adobe is fending off other players.
Microsoft Releases HD Photo plug-in for Photoshop CS2/3
Microsoft have released a HD Photo plug-in for Adobe's Photoshop CS2 and CS3. It's available for both Windows XP/Vista and Apple MacOS X (10.4) on both Intel and PowerPC.
Currently it's still beta, though it's expected to be the final version.
It was known as Windows Media HD, though MS have submitted it to JPEG and it should become JPEG XR (XR is short for "extended range). MS are allowing the technology to be used in a royalty free manner and will submit all specifications allowing anyone to implement the format on any platform in any language.
Currently it's still beta, though it's expected to be the final version.
It was known as Windows Media HD, though MS have submitted it to JPEG and it should become JPEG XR (XR is short for "extended range). MS are allowing the technology to be used in a royalty free manner and will submit all specifications allowing anyone to implement the format on any platform in any language.
Nikon announces D3 and D300
Nikon have announced the Nikon D3 Pro camera and D300 semi-pro (or prosumer) models. The D300 is based on the D series body, while the D3 is an upgrade to the D2.
The D3 has a 12.1 effective megapixel FX format (36.0-x-23.9mm) image sensor with 12-channel read out, a 9 fps frame rate, expandable ISO settings from 200-6400, a completely new 51-Point autofocus system, a three-inch VGA LCD screen with Live View (it shows what's being photographed, rather than just displaying saved photos). The camera supports CompactFlash cards and can support two simultaneously. Photos can be stored to both (mirrored, so there is always a back-up), photos can also be stored consequatively on both cards. A clever feature is that if the images are stored as both NEF (Nikon's raw format) and JPEG, NEF images can be stored on one card, and JPEG on the other.
The D300 has a 12.3 megapixel sensor, a 6fps frame advance, a self-cleaning sensor unit and high definition 3-inch VGA LCD display. It has a fast start-up (0.13s with a 45ms shutter lag). The sensor is self-cleaning (it vibrates to loosen dust) with an ISO range of 200-3200. The D300 also has an HDMI connector suitable for HD displays.
Both cameras use Nikon's new EXPEED processing chip which handles 14bit D/A with 16bit image processing.
The D300 with retail for around £1,100 plus VAT for the body only
The D3 has a 12.1 effective megapixel FX format (36.0-x-23.9mm) image sensor with 12-channel read out, a 9 fps frame rate, expandable ISO settings from 200-6400, a completely new 51-Point autofocus system, a three-inch VGA LCD screen with Live View (it shows what's being photographed, rather than just displaying saved photos). The camera supports CompactFlash cards and can support two simultaneously. Photos can be stored to both (mirrored, so there is always a back-up), photos can also be stored consequatively on both cards. A clever feature is that if the images are stored as both NEF (Nikon's raw format) and JPEG, NEF images can be stored on one card, and JPEG on the other.
The D300 has a 12.3 megapixel sensor, a 6fps frame advance, a self-cleaning sensor unit and high definition 3-inch VGA LCD display. It has a fast start-up (0.13s with a 45ms shutter lag). The sensor is self-cleaning (it vibrates to loosen dust) with an ISO range of 200-3200. The D300 also has an HDMI connector suitable for HD displays.
Both cameras use Nikon's new EXPEED processing chip which handles 14bit D/A with 16bit image processing.
The D300 with retail for around £1,100 plus VAT for the body only
2007/08/22
Number Availability | Ofcom
Number Availability | Ofcom
Ofcom are going to oen two new number ranges for Premium Rate Services (PRS): -
0902 for ’Special Services, time charged calls up to and including 60ppm and total call cost not greater then £5 or fixed fee up to £1 per call.
0903 for ‘Special Services, open ended time dependent charge or fixed fee up to £1.50 (open ended calls).
This is to increase the availability of number for PRS services.
Ofcom are going to oen two new number ranges for Premium Rate Services (PRS): -
0902 for ’Special Services, time charged calls up to and including 60ppm and total call cost not greater then £5 or fixed fee up to £1 per call.
0903 for ‘Special Services, open ended time dependent charge or fixed fee up to £1.50 (open ended calls).
This is to increase the availability of number for PRS services.
2007/08/09
Decision to make The Wireless Telegraphy (Ultra-Wideband Equipment) (Exemption) Regulations 2007 | Ofcom
Decision to make The Wireless Telegraphy (Ultra-Wideband Equipment) (Exemption) Regulations 2007 | Ofcom
Ofcom will allow the use of UWB (Ultra-Wideband) equipment from 13th August 2007 when the exemption regulations come into force.
This is in accordance with European directives.
Any equipment will have to meet the published requirements and spectral masks.
This is a good step forwards and should allow new equipment to come on the market such as wireless HDTV distribution for in-home use and wireless USB.
Ofcom will allow the use of UWB (Ultra-Wideband) equipment from 13th August 2007 when the exemption regulations come into force.
This is in accordance with European directives.
Any equipment will have to meet the published requirements and spectral masks.
This is a good step forwards and should allow new equipment to come on the market such as wireless HDTV distribution for in-home use and wireless USB.
2007/08/06
NOW up for sale
NOW the UK Wireless broadband operator from PCCW is up for sale. PCCW paid $14m for regional licenses which they are trying to convert to a single UK license (and to allow mobile use, which the licenses currently prohibit).
NOW have only 14,000 customers but losses of £23.3m. UK infrastructure is still expensive and providing a national network is unecomic unless there's huge scale involved or the company has a national network already.
Pipex was recently sold to Tiscali, though Pipex Wireless was excluded from the sale.
Both Pipex Wireless and NOW will compete for the same bidders.
BT has expressed an interested in the 2.5GHz spectrum, they may well make an offer for Pipex Wireless or NOW to gain their licenses.
NOW have only 14,000 customers but losses of £23.3m. UK infrastructure is still expensive and providing a national network is unecomic unless there's huge scale involved or the company has a national network already.
Pipex was recently sold to Tiscali, though Pipex Wireless was excluded from the sale.
Both Pipex Wireless and NOW will compete for the same bidders.
BT has expressed an interested in the 2.5GHz spectrum, they may well make an offer for Pipex Wireless or NOW to gain their licenses.
Virgin attracts Liberty Global
Liberty Global may join the battle for Virgin Media with a bid of £11bn.
BSkyB asked to delay the court case with Virgin Media re the Sky channels which Sky withdrew over pricing, which means it wont be heard until next year at the earliest. Normally Virgin Media would have pushed to have the case heard as early as possible so they get the channels back and stop losing customers.
Unfortunately an in-court case could delay any sale pending the outcome. It's much better for Virgin Media to delay the case and let a sale go through, then deal with BSkyB.
Unfortunatey it's bad news for customers who aren't likely to get their Sky content back for a year.
BSkyB asked to delay the court case with Virgin Media re the Sky channels which Sky withdrew over pricing, which means it wont be heard until next year at the earliest. Normally Virgin Media would have pushed to have the case heard as early as possible so they get the channels back and stop losing customers.
Unfortunately an in-court case could delay any sale pending the outcome. It's much better for Virgin Media to delay the case and let a sale go through, then deal with BSkyB.
Unfortunatey it's bad news for customers who aren't likely to get their Sky content back for a year.
2007/08/02
Award of available spectrum: 2500-2690MHz,2010-2025MHz | Ofcom
Award of available spectrum: 2500-2690MHz,2010-2025MHz | Ofcom
Ofcom are looking to make a considerable ammount of spectrum available. They are looking at 2 paired bands and a single unpaired band which would be suitable for WiMAX type services.
There is going to be a lot of interest in this spectrum (BT have already implied they will bid for it). As the band was originally going to be used for 3G, current 3G terminals will look for control channels in this band, and so there is also interest from 3G operators.
Ofcom are consulting now and will make a decision on the regulations etc by March or April 2008 and following invite applicants to participate in the award in the first quarter of 2008 and commence the bidding process as soon as possible thereafter.
Ofcom are looking to make a considerable ammount of spectrum available. They are looking at 2 paired bands and a single unpaired band which would be suitable for WiMAX type services.
There is going to be a lot of interest in this spectrum (BT have already implied they will bid for it). As the band was originally going to be used for 3G, current 3G terminals will look for control channels in this band, and so there is also interest from 3G operators.
Ofcom are consulting now and will make a decision on the regulations etc by March or April 2008 and following invite applicants to participate in the award in the first quarter of 2008 and commence the bidding process as soon as possible thereafter.
Regulation of VoIP Services: Access to the Emergency Services | Ofcom
Regulation of VoIP Services: Access to the Emergency Services | Ofcom
Ofcom is proposing that all VoIP providers will need to provide access to 999 services since users of VoIP services are unaware or thought that services did privide access.
They are holding a consultation which closes on 20th Sept 2007.
If providers do provide 999 services they will be classed as PATS which may put further obligations on the provider.
Currently 999 services have the ability to tie a telephone number to an address (or to a cell site in terms of mobile calls - they Cell ID is passed as part of the call set-up), VoIP calls make this more difficult, however this is similar to US policy where VoIP providers have to meet E911 conditions.
Ofcom is proposing that all VoIP providers will need to provide access to 999 services since users of VoIP services are unaware or thought that services did privide access.
They are holding a consultation which closes on 20th Sept 2007.
If providers do provide 999 services they will be classed as PATS which may put further obligations on the provider.
Currently 999 services have the ability to tie a telephone number to an address (or to a cell site in terms of mobile calls - they Cell ID is passed as part of the call set-up), VoIP calls make this more difficult, however this is similar to US policy where VoIP providers have to meet E911 conditions.
2007/07/23
Nokia N800 Internet tablet
Small and feature packed. It works with Googletalk out the box and also now supports Skype (with the latest software upgrade).
It has a virtual keyboard that works pretty well, and web browsing seems to support most sites.
There are apps that can be downloaded to make it pretty useful like an ssh client (and server), VNC client etc.
It's just small enough to carry around, but not as small as a mobile phone.
It also has sensible settings for Email (like supporting different smtp servers for different connection profiles.
It has a virtual keyboard that works pretty well, and web browsing seems to support most sites.
There are apps that can be downloaded to make it pretty useful like an ssh client (and server), VNC client etc.
It's just small enough to carry around, but not as small as a mobile phone.
It also has sensible settings for Email (like supporting different smtp servers for different connection profiles.
Google invests in Ubiquisys
Ubiquisys an Oxford based company have developed a 3G femtocell (known as Zonegate) using Picochip technology.
Google have invested around $10m of their $25m B round financing.
Google have also said they are looking at investing $4.6bn in the 700MHz wireless auction in the US (if the FCC holds the auction in a manner they consider fair).
It wouldn't be suprising if Google put money into the UK 2.5GHz auction that will happen next year, they may well also invest in a UK GSM Guard band license holder.
It seems Google believe licensed spectrum is the way forwards and are implementing that strategy.
Google have invested around $10m of their $25m B round financing.
Google have also said they are looking at investing $4.6bn in the 700MHz wireless auction in the US (if the FCC holds the auction in a manner they consider fair).
It wouldn't be suprising if Google put money into the UK 2.5GHz auction that will happen next year, they may well also invest in a UK GSM Guard band license holder.
It seems Google believe licensed spectrum is the way forwards and are implementing that strategy.
2007/07/20
Facebook | Login
Facebook | Login
First time I've seen Facebook errors: -
"Hey, your account is temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance. It should be available again within a few hours. We apologize for the inconvenience."
My photo albums disappeared and the homepage after login wasn't displaying the right info.
Looks like Facebook broke something badly, maybe they had to do an upgrade and it didn't work? Well it could be anything but coping with the growing number of users must be extremely difficult.
First time I've seen Facebook errors: -
"Hey, your account is temporarily unavailable due to site maintenance. It should be available again within a few hours. We apologize for the inconvenience."
My photo albums disappeared and the homepage after login wasn't displaying the right info.
Looks like Facebook broke something badly, maybe they had to do an upgrade and it didn't work? Well it could be anything but coping with the growing number of users must be extremely difficult.
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