Skype has announced that Skype for Android 2.0 now supports video calling which will work with Skype for iPhone, Mac and Windows. Video will work both over WiFi and 3G.
Support for handsets include the HTC Desire S, Sony Ericsson Xperia neo, Sony Ericsson, Xperia pro and the Google Nexus S.
Facebook are going to announce a 'major new service' next week and it's rumoured that Facebook video calling will be based on Skype (though the rumour is recent, Skype has been working with Facebook for some time and precedes the Microsoft acquisition). The video calling will be in browser, though it's not clear whether the user has to have the Skype client installed too. This should give Skype a major boost as Facebook has 750m users compared to Skype's 170m (active), it should also help Facebook and Microsoft head off Google's voice service.
2011/07/02
2011/06/29
Alcatel-Lucent develops 400Gb/s processor
This isn't a normal CPU that comes in a general purpose computer, but a network
compute engine and 400Gb/s is high speed. As mobile data and Internet data incre
ase the core backbones have to support more and more traffic.
LAN speeds have been increasing over the years and while a few years back everybody was happy with 10Mb/s Ethernet, now home (wired) LANs are 100Mb/s or even 1000Mb/s (1Gb/s).
At the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) they have to cope with much higher speeds and LANs might run at 10Gb/s or even 40Gb/s and very shortly 100Gb/s (the 100Gb/s standard was only ratified last year and it takes a while for vendors to produce equipment based on the standards). The next speed increase takes the LAN up to 400Gb/s.
It's all very well running high speed LANs but they need to connect to other things (just like a home router with multiple LAN connections) and the equipment needs high speed network processors to be able to move data around and work out where it should be going in real-time.
Traditionally the high speed core router market has been dominated by Cisco followed by Juniper and more recent Huawei from China. This now put Alcatel-Lucent back in the race for providing the next generation of Internet systems.
Alcatel-Lucent's processor is known as the FP3 and can handle 70,000 simultaneous HD video streams or 8.4m cloud sessions and it's these types of services which are expanding rapidly and the core networks need to stay ahead of consumer demand.
compute engine and 400Gb/s is high speed. As mobile data and Internet data incre
ase the core backbones have to support more and more traffic.
LAN speeds have been increasing over the years and while a few years back everybody was happy with 10Mb/s Ethernet, now home (wired) LANs are 100Mb/s or even 1000Mb/s (1Gb/s).
At the Internet Service Providers (ISPs) they have to cope with much higher speeds and LANs might run at 10Gb/s or even 40Gb/s and very shortly 100Gb/s (the 100Gb/s standard was only ratified last year and it takes a while for vendors to produce equipment based on the standards). The next speed increase takes the LAN up to 400Gb/s.
It's all very well running high speed LANs but they need to connect to other things (just like a home router with multiple LAN connections) and the equipment needs high speed network processors to be able to move data around and work out where it should be going in real-time.
Traditionally the high speed core router market has been dominated by Cisco followed by Juniper and more recent Huawei from China. This now put Alcatel-Lucent back in the race for providing the next generation of Internet systems.
Alcatel-Lucent's processor is known as the FP3 and can handle 70,000 simultaneous HD video streams or 8.4m cloud sessions and it's these types of services which are expanding rapidly and the core networks need to stay ahead of consumer demand.
Ofcom simplifies Spectrum Trading
Ofcom today has published a statement on simplifying spectrum trading which includes sub-leasing and other enhancements.
Currently Ofcom tend to be heavily involved in the process of trading, now a licensee does not need the consent of Ofcom to trade their spectrum, though some bands such as 2G and 3G bands are still covered by existing requirements.
Ofcom is also allowing leasing and sub-leasing if spectrum so if a licensee has excess capacity they may lease part of their spectrum to a 3rd party, now that 3rd party may also sub-lease part of their spectrum (though the originating licensee must keep accurate records of all sub-leases.
This should allow new innovative services to be launched as there's a lot of spectrum that's been licensed and not being used efficiently.
Currently Ofcom tend to be heavily involved in the process of trading, now a licensee does not need the consent of Ofcom to trade their spectrum, though some bands such as 2G and 3G bands are still covered by existing requirements.
Ofcom is also allowing leasing and sub-leasing if spectrum so if a licensee has excess capacity they may lease part of their spectrum to a 3rd party, now that 3rd party may also sub-lease part of their spectrum (though the originating licensee must keep accurate records of all sub-leases.
This should allow new innovative services to be launched as there's a lot of spectrum that's been licensed and not being used efficiently.
2011/06/28
Microsoft makes more from patent licensing than WP7 licenses
Microsoft (MS) has a huge patent portfolio and a lot related to mobile technologies used in mobile operating systems such as Android and others.
It recently added General Dynamics Itronix division (who make ruggedised systems running both Windows and Android), though a small player it is going after companies like this to show that it may be better to license Windows Phone 7 (WP7) rather than use Android and pay MS patent license fees.
MS has already reached agreement with large companies such as HTC (one of the largest manufacturer's of smartphones again running Android and WP7) and has lawsuits against Motorola and Barns and Noble.
It is thought MS are trying to destabilise Google's mobile power base and get manufacturers to use WP7 as it's protected against any other kind of licensing in terms of intellectual property.
It's alleged that Microsoft make more money from Android IP royalties than they do from WP7 licenses - so though they'd like more vendors to adopt WP7, they're winning on both sides.
It recently added General Dynamics Itronix division (who make ruggedised systems running both Windows and Android), though a small player it is going after companies like this to show that it may be better to license Windows Phone 7 (WP7) rather than use Android and pay MS patent license fees.
MS has already reached agreement with large companies such as HTC (one of the largest manufacturer's of smartphones again running Android and WP7) and has lawsuits against Motorola and Barns and Noble.
It is thought MS are trying to destabilise Google's mobile power base and get manufacturers to use WP7 as it's protected against any other kind of licensing in terms of intellectual property.
It's alleged that Microsoft make more money from Android IP royalties than they do from WP7 licenses - so though they'd like more vendors to adopt WP7, they're winning on both sides.
Ofcom mandates battery back-up for FTTP services
Ofcom the super regulator that covers media, broadcast and telecoms is holding a 10 week consultation about proposals that operators of FTTP (fibre-to-the premises) must provide battery back-up for the service which is located in the premise. This is to ensure that phone calls can still be made during a power cut (and thus still provide access to the emergency services) which is a condition of the Communications Act (General Condition 3).
The initial idea was to mandate 4 hours battery back-up which has now been reduced to 1 hour as the majority of power cuts in the UK are less than 1 hour. 1 hour back-up also means smaller batteries that are easier to obtain, install and recycle and are more likely to be accepted by consumers.
Ofcom does recognise that some premises will require longer back-up times, but these will be examined on a case by case basis.
The Ofcom summary is available here and the consultation closes on 10 Sept 2011.
The initial idea was to mandate 4 hours battery back-up which has now been reduced to 1 hour as the majority of power cuts in the UK are less than 1 hour. 1 hour back-up also means smaller batteries that are easier to obtain, install and recycle and are more likely to be accepted by consumers.
Ofcom does recognise that some premises will require longer back-up times, but these will be examined on a case by case basis.
The Ofcom summary is available here and the consultation closes on 10 Sept 2011.
2011/06/24
Ofcom fines Satellite Entertainment Ltd
Ofcom, the media regulator, fined Satellite Entertainment Ltd (SEL) who run Essex Babes, Northern Birds and Live XXX Babes £90,000.00 for failing to provide recordings of what was transmitted on 9 occasions. The fine is payable to HM Paymaster General.
SEL also lost editorial control of what they broadcast for 6 weeks by allowing another company to transmit using its license.
It seems SEL refused to provide recordings and frustrate Ofcom's regulatory process which Ofcom found unacceptable. SEL were fined as a breach of condition 11 of their license.
The full Adjucations may be seen here.
SEL also lost editorial control of what they broadcast for 6 weeks by allowing another company to transmit using its license.
It seems SEL refused to provide recordings and frustrate Ofcom's regulatory process which Ofcom found unacceptable. SEL were fined as a breach of condition 11 of their license.
The full Adjucations may be seen here.
2011/06/23
O2 prepares for Glastonbury
O2 (the subsidiary of Telfonica) has been working in the background for the Glas
tonbury Festival that opened yesterday, by installing 6 cell sites around the fe
stival site.
By the time the festival closes, O2 will have spent 200 days with a team of 20 people making sure everything has been set-up and kept working smoothly so that the 150,000 or so revellers can keep calling or textting each other.
O2 expect that festival goers will talk for over 3.4m minutes and use up 1088GB of data (that's over 1TB) which is a lot of traffic for a 5 days event. O2 will also be monitoring the network and ensuring it will be tuned for peak periods such as when a band finishes when everybody uses their phone to find out where their frends are.
Orange are also associated with the festival and are known to add extra cell sites to increase coverage, but this year they are offering an app (Apple, Android and Nokia) that allows punters to see who's playing on what stages and the acts that follow. They will also be providing a charging station suitable for hundreds of people to simultaneously get a boost, however this year they are also trailling t-shirts that have a piezo-electric film that converts audio into electricity and each shirt should be able to charge two phones over the 5 days.
Glastonbury is now really becoming a 'techno' festival, maybe next year robots will be seen in the crowds.
tonbury Festival that opened yesterday, by installing 6 cell sites around the fe
stival site.
By the time the festival closes, O2 will have spent 200 days with a team of 20 people making sure everything has been set-up and kept working smoothly so that the 150,000 or so revellers can keep calling or textting each other.
O2 expect that festival goers will talk for over 3.4m minutes and use up 1088GB of data (that's over 1TB) which is a lot of traffic for a 5 days event. O2 will also be monitoring the network and ensuring it will be tuned for peak periods such as when a band finishes when everybody uses their phone to find out where their frends are.
Orange are also associated with the festival and are known to add extra cell sites to increase coverage, but this year they are offering an app (Apple, Android and Nokia) that allows punters to see who's playing on what stages and the acts that follow. They will also be providing a charging station suitable for hundreds of people to simultaneously get a boost, however this year they are also trailling t-shirts that have a piezo-electric film that converts audio into electricity and each shirt should be able to charge two phones over the 5 days.
Glastonbury is now really becoming a 'techno' festival, maybe next year robots will be seen in the crowds.
2011/06/20
Ofcom allows Spectrum Trading for 2G and 3G spectrum
Ofcom today published a statement that will mean from the 4th July 2011 2G and 3G licensees will be able to fully or part trade spectrum in the 900MHz, 1800MHz (2G) and 2.1GHz/2100MHz (3G) bands.
This may allay some issues arising from the 800MHz / 2.6GHz forthcoming auctions.
This may allay some issues arising from the 800MHz / 2.6GHz forthcoming auctions.
UK Broadband to offer LTE/4G services as early as 2012
UK Broadband (a subsiduary of Hong Kong based PCCW who are owned by the same people that run Hutchison Wampoa who own 3 in the UK) have announced that they will be rolling out an LTE (Long Term Evolution) or 4G network this year and it will be ready for use by next year.
UK Broadband recently acquired Pipex Wireless so now they own a large chunk of spectrum in the 3.5 and 3.6GHz bands. Initially, both UK Broadband and Pipex Wireles, were offering WiMAX based networks but the current trend is for LTE as mobile networks will support this as their 4G systems (effectively killing off WiMAX, at least in Europe).
The aim is to offer MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) services i.e. wholesale mobile services to other operators such as Virgin Mobile (who is already an MVNO of T-Mobile). LTE will support both voice and data, though it's the high speed data services that will be attractive to operators especially if they can off-load data from the existing 3G networks which are suffering capacity issues.
It's not all going to be plain sailing as mobile phones only look in certain bands (currently 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2.1GHz and 2.6GHz for EU GSM/3G) though 850 / 900 MHz is used in the Americas, so UK Broadband or PCCW will have to persuade handset manufacturers to support the 3.5/3.6GHz bands which is likely to be difficult, though specific LTE data equipment could be another option (as in a 4G dongle).
Ofcom were meant to be auctioning the 800MHz analogue TV spectrum next year and the 2.6GHz IMT-2000 reserved band, both being suitable for LTE services, unfortunately BT and O2/Telefonica have now challenged Ofcom's decision to cap the sub 1GHz spectrum available to any network and this may cause further delays in both the auction and actual availability of the spectrum which was neant to be made available after the 2012 London Olympics.
UK Broadband recently acquired Pipex Wireless so now they own a large chunk of spectrum in the 3.5 and 3.6GHz bands. Initially, both UK Broadband and Pipex Wireles, were offering WiMAX based networks but the current trend is for LTE as mobile networks will support this as their 4G systems (effectively killing off WiMAX, at least in Europe).
The aim is to offer MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) services i.e. wholesale mobile services to other operators such as Virgin Mobile (who is already an MVNO of T-Mobile). LTE will support both voice and data, though it's the high speed data services that will be attractive to operators especially if they can off-load data from the existing 3G networks which are suffering capacity issues.
It's not all going to be plain sailing as mobile phones only look in certain bands (currently 900MHz, 1800MHz, 2.1GHz and 2.6GHz for EU GSM/3G) though 850 / 900 MHz is used in the Americas, so UK Broadband or PCCW will have to persuade handset manufacturers to support the 3.5/3.6GHz bands which is likely to be difficult, though specific LTE data equipment could be another option (as in a 4G dongle).
Ofcom were meant to be auctioning the 800MHz analogue TV spectrum next year and the 2.6GHz IMT-2000 reserved band, both being suitable for LTE services, unfortunately BT and O2/Telefonica have now challenged Ofcom's decision to cap the sub 1GHz spectrum available to any network and this may cause further delays in both the auction and actual availability of the spectrum which was neant to be made available after the 2012 London Olympics.
BT Whitespace spectrum trials "encouraging"
Spectrum is a valuable commodity and in the UK it's pretty well all allocated (well there are certain bands that are hopefully going to be auctioned soon). It's either been taken up by (mainly) the MOD, commercial TV/radio, mobile and even some space for public use like the 2.4GHz band which is used by WiFi.
The lower the frequency of the radio wave, the better propogation characteristics it has (i.e. it travels further in air and penetrates buildings well) so even though higher frequencies can carry more data, it can be hard to get the signal to users without building very dense radio networks so the signals don't have to travel very far.
Current analogue TV uses the 800MHz band which obviously has very good propogation characteristics as pretty well anyone in the UK can receive an analogue TV signal. During 2012 all analogue transmitters will be turned off and everything migrated to digital.
Therefore there's a lot of interest in using these lower frequency bands for wireless broadband for remote areas as a single big transmitter can be dumped into the middle of the remote area and it connected back to civilisation, but everyone in the area will be able to get a signal from it - i.e. they'll be able to get a broadband connection.
This is a very attractive proposition, except for the fact that frequencies in the range of 400 - 800MHz are currently being used or have planned use which slightly scuppers its use for broadband.
BT are trialing a system known as white space transmission and it's really quite clever. The transmitting and receiving systems listen to the relevant bands that they want to use and only pick sub-bands that aren't already being used. Since modern radio equipment can be very selective and use specific frequencies, there's actually a lot of white space spectrum around (older radio systems were noisy and though bands were allocated, there are always gap-bands in between so that the real radio bands wouldn't "bleed" into each other causing interference - those gap bands contain valauable - now usable - spectrum). Also not all areas use all the sub-bands. The trials are being conducted on the (very) remote Scottish Island of Bute, so even if BT get things wrong, there's not going to be a lot of people to upset, but the trials are going well and BT is going extend to coverage to another 12 users July.
If the trials are successful this could offer a glimmer of hope in getting broadband to rural communities who are not going to be covered by BT or other operators fibre (or even 3G) roll-outs.
The lower the frequency of the radio wave, the better propogation characteristics it has (i.e. it travels further in air and penetrates buildings well) so even though higher frequencies can carry more data, it can be hard to get the signal to users without building very dense radio networks so the signals don't have to travel very far.
Current analogue TV uses the 800MHz band which obviously has very good propogation characteristics as pretty well anyone in the UK can receive an analogue TV signal. During 2012 all analogue transmitters will be turned off and everything migrated to digital.
Therefore there's a lot of interest in using these lower frequency bands for wireless broadband for remote areas as a single big transmitter can be dumped into the middle of the remote area and it connected back to civilisation, but everyone in the area will be able to get a signal from it - i.e. they'll be able to get a broadband connection.
This is a very attractive proposition, except for the fact that frequencies in the range of 400 - 800MHz are currently being used or have planned use which slightly scuppers its use for broadband.
BT are trialing a system known as white space transmission and it's really quite clever. The transmitting and receiving systems listen to the relevant bands that they want to use and only pick sub-bands that aren't already being used. Since modern radio equipment can be very selective and use specific frequencies, there's actually a lot of white space spectrum around (older radio systems were noisy and though bands were allocated, there are always gap-bands in between so that the real radio bands wouldn't "bleed" into each other causing interference - those gap bands contain valauable - now usable - spectrum). Also not all areas use all the sub-bands. The trials are being conducted on the (very) remote Scottish Island of Bute, so even if BT get things wrong, there's not going to be a lot of people to upset, but the trials are going well and BT is going extend to coverage to another 12 users July.
If the trials are successful this could offer a glimmer of hope in getting broadband to rural communities who are not going to be covered by BT or other operators fibre (or even 3G) roll-outs.
2011/06/19
The Inspire Conference, but was it inspiring?
It seems everyone who organises anything these days must also put on the obligatory conference which is "the" conference to go to.
On June 7th and 8th at the organisers of Launch48 put on the Inspire Conference at UCL's Senate House in the centre of London. Even if the conference failed, Senate House is one of the most inspiring buildings in London, it doesn't quite fit, looking more like something out of a US skyline.
The conference was located on the ground floor with the exhibition in the main hall and coffee/lunch opposite with WiFi (supplied by UCL) present everywhere (the WiFi required a login, but remained available even at peak usage with no drop-outs or reduced bandwidth - other venues should take note).
If there's any comparison, the organisers probably would like to compare "Inspire" with TED and if it continues it may well develop into something similar, though there a lot of very good talks, they weren't particularly inspiring (for example Nick Halstead of Datasift/Tweetmeme gave a very impressive talk on Big Data - but was it inspiring?).
Some products that people talked about are inspiring (i.e. Angry Birds), but the actual talk (or interview with Peter Vesterbacka of Rovio) again wasn't.
Rory Sutherland of Ogilvy was probably the exception and gave a brilliant talk which was also inspiring.
It was a good idea to change the exhibitors for each day (well most of them) and the stands were quite busy.
On June 7th and 8th at the organisers of Launch48 put on the Inspire Conference at UCL's Senate House in the centre of London. Even if the conference failed, Senate House is one of the most inspiring buildings in London, it doesn't quite fit, looking more like something out of a US skyline.
The conference was located on the ground floor with the exhibition in the main hall and coffee/lunch opposite with WiFi (supplied by UCL) present everywhere (the WiFi required a login, but remained available even at peak usage with no drop-outs or reduced bandwidth - other venues should take note).
If there's any comparison, the organisers probably would like to compare "Inspire" with TED and if it continues it may well develop into something similar, though there a lot of very good talks, they weren't particularly inspiring (for example Nick Halstead of Datasift/Tweetmeme gave a very impressive talk on Big Data - but was it inspiring?).
Some products that people talked about are inspiring (i.e. Angry Birds), but the actual talk (or interview with Peter Vesterbacka of Rovio) again wasn't.
Rory Sutherland of Ogilvy was probably the exception and gave a brilliant talk which was also inspiring.
It was a good idea to change the exhibitors for each day (well most of them) and the stands were quite busy.
2011/06/09
Many people prefer using a mouse rather than a trackpad or the "it's not quite right" system built into their laptop, but using a "normal" mouse means finding a work area that's large enough for it to move around. That generally means no mouse for mobile workers who want to use their laptop on a plane or on train (or even in a car, but probably not a good idea while driving).
Now a New Zealand company called Swiftpoint have come up with a solution, the Swiftpoint Mouse, which is a tiny wireless mouse that works with Apple Macs and Windows PCs. It's about 5cm long and 4cm at it's widest with contoured sides so that your fingers sit comfortably. There's a space to rest your thumb (coloured red) and your index finger sits on the top operating the mouse buttons or scroll wheel and your 3rd finger tucks on to the other side and rests in a little nook.
It's been designed so that it will work on the surface of a laptop next to the touch pad (or even on a touch pad) even on the metalic surface of a Macbook.
Cleverly the mouse detects when your finger is present on the thumb grip and turns off the power when your finger isn't there.
The two buttons on the top of the mouse correspond to left and righ buttons on a standard mouse for Windows or Click and Control-Click for Macs. The scroll-wheel can go back or forwards, but is stepped so you know you're moving it and it's pretty precise.
The mouse also performs some clever tricks, if tilted to the right so the scroll-wheel is then in contact with the surface, moving the mouse will then scroll the window you're in rapidly up or down (in-line with what the mouse is doing), which is useful for rapidly moving though documents. If the front button is pressed and the scroll-wheel moved, then the screen will magnify i.e. zoom in and moving the mouse backwards then zooms-out. Pressing the back button while moving the scroll-wheel will mean a document will move a page at a time.
It's a wireless mouse and it comes with a USB adapter that is just under 3cm long and just over 1cm wide (including the USB connector) so it protrudes about 1 1/2cm out of the socket. Unfortunately that's just wide enough to block other USB devices (at least on a Macbook) unless they're very thin. The adapter has three little metal connectors on it and acts as a mouse charging station with the mouse sitting on the adapter. That also means it will only work on USB ports that are on the side of a laptop (or similar) and not say on the USB ports on a Mac keyboard which are slightly under it. The device is plug-and-play and is recognised by pretty much any version of Windows and MacOS X 10.4+. The USB adapter magnetically attaches to the mouse when not plugged in, so it's harder to lose when not in use.
On MacOS X the operating system initially thought a keyboard has been plugged in, but just exit from the keyboard set-up utility (which automatically pops up) and the mouse just starts working.
The mouse has a 1000dpi (laser tracking) resolution and requires very little movement to move things around on screen, both the buttons and scroll-wheel are easily accessed and though initially fiddly, you rapidly become accustomed to using them and then it's actually very easy to drive the mouse and use all of it's features.
Placing the mouse on the USB (connected) dock for 30s will charge the mouse for around 1 hour's use, while a full 90 minute charge will power the mouse for between 2 to 4 weeks.
It's not that cheap, retailing at £49 in the UK. But if you're the person that prefers a mouse to a laptop trackpad, this could be just the right device for you.
It can be bought on-line from Swiftpoint.
Now a New Zealand company called Swiftpoint have come up with a solution, the Swiftpoint Mouse, which is a tiny wireless mouse that works with Apple Macs and Windows PCs. It's about 5cm long and 4cm at it's widest with contoured sides so that your fingers sit comfortably. There's a space to rest your thumb (coloured red) and your index finger sits on the top operating the mouse buttons or scroll wheel and your 3rd finger tucks on to the other side and rests in a little nook.
It's been designed so that it will work on the surface of a laptop next to the touch pad (or even on a touch pad) even on the metalic surface of a Macbook.
Cleverly the mouse detects when your finger is present on the thumb grip and turns off the power when your finger isn't there.
The two buttons on the top of the mouse correspond to left and righ buttons on a standard mouse for Windows or Click and Control-Click for Macs. The scroll-wheel can go back or forwards, but is stepped so you know you're moving it and it's pretty precise.
The mouse also performs some clever tricks, if tilted to the right so the scroll-wheel is then in contact with the surface, moving the mouse will then scroll the window you're in rapidly up or down (in-line with what the mouse is doing), which is useful for rapidly moving though documents. If the front button is pressed and the scroll-wheel moved, then the screen will magnify i.e. zoom in and moving the mouse backwards then zooms-out. Pressing the back button while moving the scroll-wheel will mean a document will move a page at a time.
It's a wireless mouse and it comes with a USB adapter that is just under 3cm long and just over 1cm wide (including the USB connector) so it protrudes about 1 1/2cm out of the socket. Unfortunately that's just wide enough to block other USB devices (at least on a Macbook) unless they're very thin. The adapter has three little metal connectors on it and acts as a mouse charging station with the mouse sitting on the adapter. That also means it will only work on USB ports that are on the side of a laptop (or similar) and not say on the USB ports on a Mac keyboard which are slightly under it. The device is plug-and-play and is recognised by pretty much any version of Windows and MacOS X 10.4+. The USB adapter magnetically attaches to the mouse when not plugged in, so it's harder to lose when not in use.
On MacOS X the operating system initially thought a keyboard has been plugged in, but just exit from the keyboard set-up utility (which automatically pops up) and the mouse just starts working.
The mouse has a 1000dpi (laser tracking) resolution and requires very little movement to move things around on screen, both the buttons and scroll-wheel are easily accessed and though initially fiddly, you rapidly become accustomed to using them and then it's actually very easy to drive the mouse and use all of it's features.
Placing the mouse on the USB (connected) dock for 30s will charge the mouse for around 1 hour's use, while a full 90 minute charge will power the mouse for between 2 to 4 weeks.
It's not that cheap, retailing at £49 in the UK. But if you're the person that prefers a mouse to a laptop trackpad, this could be just the right device for you.
It can be bought on-line from Swiftpoint.
2011/06/06
Digium release Switchvox version 5
Digium the company that maintains the open source Asterisk IP PBX have released version 5 of Switchvox. Switchbox is based on the core Asterisk product, but with a nice Graphical User Interface (GUI) to configure it.
Switchvox is designed to fit into SME sized companies and v5 adds FMC (fixed mobile convergence) options so that up to 6 devices can be added to an extension which includes mobile (smart) phones.
The system also supports advanced APIs (application programming interfaces) so that external systems such as help desk or CRM applications can be integrated.
A new install will cost $3,195.00 for up to 30 users. Existing Switchvox users can upgrade for no cost.
Switchvox is designed to fit into SME sized companies and v5 adds FMC (fixed mobile convergence) options so that up to 6 devices can be added to an extension which includes mobile (smart) phones.
The system also supports advanced APIs (application programming interfaces) so that external systems such as help desk or CRM applications can be integrated.
A new install will cost $3,195.00 for up to 30 users. Existing Switchvox users can upgrade for no cost.
Ofcom says LTE800 operators have to fix Digital TV
Ofcom will be auctioning the 800MHz band and it's expected that licensees will use the spectrum for LTE (Long YTerm Evolution)/4G services.
Unfortunately there may be interference issues with terrestrial digital TV broadcasts which may affect around 3% of the population which is around 760,000 homes.
Many interference issues will be resolved with the simple fitting of an RF filter between the aerial and the digital TV receiver, however around 0.1% of viewers will still have issues and Ofcom want those effected to have digital satellite receivers installed. It's expected that the LTE licensees will be burdened with the cost of the filters of digital satellite equipment which could cost around £100m on top of any spectrum auction fees.
Ofcom are now going to hold a consultation to see the real extent of the problem.
Unfortunately there may be interference issues with terrestrial digital TV broadcasts which may affect around 3% of the population which is around 760,000 homes.
Many interference issues will be resolved with the simple fitting of an RF filter between the aerial and the digital TV receiver, however around 0.1% of viewers will still have issues and Ofcom want those effected to have digital satellite receivers installed. It's expected that the LTE licensees will be burdened with the cost of the filters of digital satellite equipment which could cost around £100m on top of any spectrum auction fees.
Ofcom are now going to hold a consultation to see the real extent of the problem.
2011/05/31
Techpitch 4.5
On the 25th May 2011 2Pears held a pitching competition at Pinsent Mason LLP (located between Old St and Liverpool St).
The judging panel was chaired by Danvers Baillieu (who happens to work for Pinsent Mason) but is maybe more famous for the illustrious Bootlaw series of workshops that he organises.
Other members of the judging panel were Eric van der Kleij CEO Tech City Investment Organisation, Glenn Shoosmith CEO BookingBug, Megumi Ikeda Comcast Interactive Capital, Amine Laouedj goetzpartners Corporate Finance, Zuzanna Pasierbinska-Wilson Huddle and Silicon Stilettos and Grace Yusuf or Kyubid.com. Some of the panel might have been slightly worse for wear having just returned from the eG8 conference (or should that be party) in Paris.
There were 9 pitches from start-ups: -
Gabriel Ortiz presented Clickslide - a platform allowing both developers and end-users to rapidly produce websites or mobile applications.
Sue Green with Dancetothis - aiming to be the central resource for dance in the UK i.e. linking how to videos, local events etc. Crowded market.
Tom Harrow with Findababysitter.com - pretty much the name says it all.
Ian Pickard with Gigaboxx - a system allowing artists and record companies to directly sell to the fans at a gig or event. Can produce a mobile app (music store) which is customised to the artist.
Dupsy Abiola with Intern Avenue - a site that is trying to get employees to pay interns.
Anil Stockner with Marketinvoice Ltd - A trading (auction) platform for companies to trade their invoices and get paid immediately (so the bidder will offer a price for the invoice and their fee).
Josh Liu with Minutebox - Minutebox is a platform allowing people with skills to sell them to other people using Red5 as a media server. The user sets their price and what skills they have and other users can buy their expertise on a per minute basis.
Matthew Scherba with Plancentric - a new approach to project planning (well enterprise resource planning or ERP).
Simon Phillips with Tools of Directing Ltd - a way for content creators to add meta data to video in the production process.
In terms of presentation Josh Liu's was by far the most succinct as he presented in time and got the all his points across and everyone understood what Minutebox did.
Dupsy Abiola's also stood out as she obviously understood the intern problem and was trying to address things in a positive way.
Anil Stocker's Marketinvoice has the potential to be very large, one to watch.
Some of the other ones were flakey (as in presentation or the business itself), but that's to be expected at a random pitching event.
All in all a great event and the Pinsent Masons auditorium is actually a great space to hold these kinds of events as the speakers can be heard and the presentations seen on the two screen set-up.
There are some pics of the event on Facebook
The judging panel was chaired by Danvers Baillieu (who happens to work for Pinsent Mason) but is maybe more famous for the illustrious Bootlaw series of workshops that he organises.
Other members of the judging panel were Eric van der Kleij CEO Tech City Investment Organisation, Glenn Shoosmith CEO BookingBug, Megumi Ikeda Comcast Interactive Capital, Amine Laouedj goetzpartners Corporate Finance, Zuzanna Pasierbinska-Wilson Huddle and Silicon Stilettos and Grace Yusuf or Kyubid.com. Some of the panel might have been slightly worse for wear having just returned from the eG8 conference (or should that be party) in Paris.
There were 9 pitches from start-ups: -
Gabriel Ortiz presented Clickslide - a platform allowing both developers and end-users to rapidly produce websites or mobile applications.
Sue Green with Dancetothis - aiming to be the central resource for dance in the UK i.e. linking how to videos, local events etc. Crowded market.
Tom Harrow with Findababysitter.com - pretty much the name says it all.
Ian Pickard with Gigaboxx - a system allowing artists and record companies to directly sell to the fans at a gig or event. Can produce a mobile app (music store) which is customised to the artist.
Dupsy Abiola with Intern Avenue - a site that is trying to get employees to pay interns.
Anil Stockner with Marketinvoice Ltd - A trading (auction) platform for companies to trade their invoices and get paid immediately (so the bidder will offer a price for the invoice and their fee).
Josh Liu with Minutebox - Minutebox is a platform allowing people with skills to sell them to other people using Red5 as a media server. The user sets their price and what skills they have and other users can buy their expertise on a per minute basis.
Matthew Scherba with Plancentric - a new approach to project planning (well enterprise resource planning or ERP).
Simon Phillips with Tools of Directing Ltd - a way for content creators to add meta data to video in the production process.
In terms of presentation Josh Liu's was by far the most succinct as he presented in time and got the all his points across and everyone understood what Minutebox did.
Dupsy Abiola's also stood out as she obviously understood the intern problem and was trying to address things in a positive way.
Anil Stocker's Marketinvoice has the potential to be very large, one to watch.
Some of the other ones were flakey (as in presentation or the business itself), but that's to be expected at a random pitching event.
All in all a great event and the Pinsent Masons auditorium is actually a great space to hold these kinds of events as the speakers can be heard and the presentations seen on the two screen set-up.
There are some pics of the event on Facebook
2011/05/26
Ofcom publishes possible 4G capacity gains
Ofcom the super regulator today published its report into what capacity gains that 4G networks could provide compared to existing capacity on 3G networks.
In summary compared to existing HSUPA 3G networks, there will be an increase of 3.3x which will increase to 5.5x by 2020 i.e. 3.3 to 5.5 times as much traffic can be put over the equivalent spectrum which will be opportune as data usage increases.
However network operators will need to manage the topology of their 4G networks more carefully than current 3G networks.
The statement may be found here.
In summary compared to existing HSUPA 3G networks, there will be an increase of 3.3x which will increase to 5.5x by 2020 i.e. 3.3 to 5.5 times as much traffic can be put over the equivalent spectrum which will be opportune as data usage increases.
However network operators will need to manage the topology of their 4G networks more carefully than current 3G networks.
The statement may be found here.
Microsoft-Skype kills Skype for Asterisk
Many will know Asterisk the open source IP PBX (IP telephony system) that is commercially supported by Digium.
At Astricon in 2008 Digium announced a partnership with Skype that would allow an Asterisk system join the Skype network as a Skype client, though commercial (costing $66 per channel i.e. each concurrent call the Skype network requires a channel) many people used this to connect their internal VoIP systems to the outside world taking advantage of free Skype to Skype calls and cheap calls to the normal telephone networks using Skype-out.
Unfortunately the partnership is now dead as Skype (or now Microsoft Skype as Skype is to be known after their acquisition by the software giant) have decided to discontinue the licensing of Skype proprietary code that is included in the Skype for Asterisk product.
Customers can still purchase Skype for Asterisk until 26th July 2011 and Skype will continue to support the product until 2013 (and Skype "at their discretion" may continue support beyond that).
Though Skype for Asterisk only represents a small proportion of the Skype population, is this indicative of the way that Microsoft is taking the company as Asterisk and other open source solutions directly compete with some of Microsoft's offerings? If so it's a shame as it it's likely that only MS products will work with Skype and thus further locking customers into Microsoft's solutions.
Though to be fair, rumour has it that Skype was already looking at ways of ending the relationship with Digium.
At Astricon in 2008 Digium announced a partnership with Skype that would allow an Asterisk system join the Skype network as a Skype client, though commercial (costing $66 per channel i.e. each concurrent call the Skype network requires a channel) many people used this to connect their internal VoIP systems to the outside world taking advantage of free Skype to Skype calls and cheap calls to the normal telephone networks using Skype-out.
Unfortunately the partnership is now dead as Skype (or now Microsoft Skype as Skype is to be known after their acquisition by the software giant) have decided to discontinue the licensing of Skype proprietary code that is included in the Skype for Asterisk product.
Customers can still purchase Skype for Asterisk until 26th July 2011 and Skype will continue to support the product until 2013 (and Skype "at their discretion" may continue support beyond that).
Though Skype for Asterisk only represents a small proportion of the Skype population, is this indicative of the way that Microsoft is taking the company as Asterisk and other open source solutions directly compete with some of Microsoft's offerings? If so it's a shame as it it's likely that only MS products will work with Skype and thus further locking customers into Microsoft's solutions.
Though to be fair, rumour has it that Skype was already looking at ways of ending the relationship with Digium.
Everything Everywhere and BT trial LTE800
BT and Everything Everywhere are trailing LTE (Long Term Evolution or 4G) on the 800MHz band in Cornwall. 100 mobile and 100 fixed users will take place.
800MHz is part of the spectrum that Ofcom are planning to auction this year which will is currently being used by analogue TV, though some areas have already switched over to digital so the frequencies are already clear. The whole of the UK will switch by 2012.
The trial will actually use 2 x 10MHz channels in the upper band (which Ofcom are considering how to license) and though LTE can theoretically speeds of up to 150Mb/s, Everything Everywhere have stated that users should expect between 2 and 40Mb/s.
The 800Mhz band is being auction in conjunction with the 2.6GHz band (with caps depending on what portions are being bid for) and there is expected to be considerable interest from both the existing mobile network operators and broadband providers (some of who will be new entrants).
800MHz is part of the spectrum that Ofcom are planning to auction this year which will is currently being used by analogue TV, though some areas have already switched over to digital so the frequencies are already clear. The whole of the UK will switch by 2012.
The trial will actually use 2 x 10MHz channels in the upper band (which Ofcom are considering how to license) and though LTE can theoretically speeds of up to 150Mb/s, Everything Everywhere have stated that users should expect between 2 and 40Mb/s.
The 800Mhz band is being auction in conjunction with the 2.6GHz band (with caps depending on what portions are being bid for) and there is expected to be considerable interest from both the existing mobile network operators and broadband providers (some of who will be new entrants).
Ofcom makes changes to telecoms law to benefit consumers
Ofcom the Super regulator that has responsibility for media, telecoms, radio and broadcasting has announced changes that telecoms companies will have to adopt in-line with European telecoms law.
Contracts
From May 26th 2011 telecoms operators are limited to providing 24 month contracts for telecoms services. Businesses and consumers must also be offered shorter 12 month contracts.
This will allow consumers to switch providers more easily which will allow users to chose beneficial pricing and services.
Emergency SMS
Ofcom plans to mandate the emergency SMS schmeme in the UK which allows users to text (or use the Short Message Service) to the ermgency services to 999 (or 112 the pan-European emergency services number).
Currently there is a registration scheme in operation with about 14,500 registered users. From May 26th 2011 all mobile operators will be obliged to make the scheme available on a permanent basis for hearing and speech-impaired users.
Porting Phone Numbers
On April 11 2011 Ofcom mandated all mobile operators to port numbers between networks in under 1 (working) day. This only applied to individual consumers. Now the same rules apply to businesses and other customers who may wish to port many numbers at one time.
Fixed numbers should also be ported with 1 day, though other measures have to be completed first to ensure that slamming doesn't occur (where a customer is switched to another provider without their permission).
Providers also have to pay reasonably compensation to customers if the port doesn't happen in 24 hours (or there is an abuse of the porting process).
This is all good news for the consumer and it's nice to see Ofcom mandate these changes.
Contracts
From May 26th 2011 telecoms operators are limited to providing 24 month contracts for telecoms services. Businesses and consumers must also be offered shorter 12 month contracts.
This will allow consumers to switch providers more easily which will allow users to chose beneficial pricing and services.
Emergency SMS
Ofcom plans to mandate the emergency SMS schmeme in the UK which allows users to text (or use the Short Message Service) to the ermgency services to 999 (or 112 the pan-European emergency services number).
Currently there is a registration scheme in operation with about 14,500 registered users. From May 26th 2011 all mobile operators will be obliged to make the scheme available on a permanent basis for hearing and speech-impaired users.
Porting Phone Numbers
On April 11 2011 Ofcom mandated all mobile operators to port numbers between networks in under 1 (working) day. This only applied to individual consumers. Now the same rules apply to businesses and other customers who may wish to port many numbers at one time.
Fixed numbers should also be ported with 1 day, though other measures have to be completed first to ensure that slamming doesn't occur (where a customer is switched to another provider without their permission).
Providers also have to pay reasonably compensation to customers if the port doesn't happen in 24 hours (or there is an abuse of the porting process).
This is all good news for the consumer and it's nice to see Ofcom mandate these changes.
2011/05/09
Calibre an eBook tool
Calibre is available in versions for Windows, MacOS X and Linux, it's an eBook reader and a lot more, really an eBook toolbox that allows conversion of one eBook format to another. It can also manage an eBook library and supports lots of eBooks readers such as the iPad, Nook, Kindle etc.
If you happen to have downloaded an eBook, but the metadata is wrong or missing it's possible to enter the data yourself or get Calibre to search various sources (Google, Amazon, Overdrive) and find matching books, you then get the choice of what data to use and even choose the cover if there are variants.
You can even search for eBook on-line and Calibre will show which are available, their price and whether they have DRM or not. You can click on your choice and be taken directly to the eBook on the source website.
Calibre is an invaluable tool for all eBook owners.
If you happen to have downloaded an eBook, but the metadata is wrong or missing it's possible to enter the data yourself or get Calibre to search various sources (Google, Amazon, Overdrive) and find matching books, you then get the choice of what data to use and even choose the cover if there are variants.
You can even search for eBook on-line and Calibre will show which are available, their price and whether they have DRM or not. You can click on your choice and be taken directly to the eBook on the source website.
Calibre is an invaluable tool for all eBook owners.
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