Recent News
Heralding a new phase in unifying the consumer digital media experience, Gracenote and Omnifone have announced the first solution to provide easy integration of a consumer’s personal music collection with a unlimited music subscription service and seamless synchronization of both across a consumer’s personal devices — from mobile phones to desktop PCs, to home entertainment systems and in-car stereos.
A demonstration at the 2009 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas will show music fans how they can synchronize their existing music library with Omnifone’s award winning unlimited music service of over five million tracks using embedded Gracenote technology. The service works across multiple entertainment platforms instantly and effortlessly while optimizing the quality of the content without the worry about file formats or interoperability. Synchronization of personal and service content with a unified consumer experience across all platforms is paramount to achieving the dramatic growth analysts project for music consumption over the next three years. Forrester’s December 2008 Jupiter Research forecast says U.S. digital music sales will grow by 17 percent per year on average over the next five years to make up 41 percent of sales by 2013, while Juniper Research predicts the success of unlimited music services on mobile platforms will significantly grow digital music revenues, with subscription-based unlimited digital music services overtaking “first generation” pay-per-track services and worth U.S. $3.3 billion by 2012.
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ICOON, Europe’s most popular language dictionary that helps others understand what you need through the use of icons, has made travelling easier than ever before.
With ICOON, you get what you need. An essential language tool for any leisure or business traveller, this uniquely-designed collection offers more than 500 useful symbols structured into 12 common categories — from hygiene to hair styles, money to measurements, health to accommodations. ICOON digital edition is available for download to your iPhone and iPod touch or only 99 cents and will also soon be available for Blackberry. Just download ICOON to your iPhone and let icons speak for you!
EchoStar Technologies L.L.C. and Sling Media, subsidiaries of EchoStar Corporation, have won a “Best of CES” award from the editors of CNET for the EchoStar SlingLoaded 922 HD DVR, the world’s first HD digital video recorder that incorporates Sling Media’s patented placeshifting technology.
CNET, in cooperation with the Consumer Electronics Association, selected the EchoStar 922 SlingLoaded STB out of hundreds of entries from CES during a live CNET announcement in Las Vegas. The EchoStar 922 won in the home video category — only 10 products were given the exclusive “Best of CES” recognition. The EchoStar 922 is an entertainment centerpiece combining the best of video and IP technologies into a capacitive-touch STB. By integrating Sling Media’s Slingbox technology, the EchoStar 922 lets TV aficionados watch and control their favorite TV shows and sporting events from anywhere in the world via a broadband Internet connection on their laptop or mobile phone. Accessing multiple video sources, viewers will never run out of shows to watch. The EchoStar 922 features a massive 1 terabyte hard drive for up to 1,000 hours of storage and supports external hard drives. EchoStar will deliver the EchoStar 922 to its first operator, DISH Network, in spring 2009, as the HD DuoDVR SlingLoaded ViP 922, furnishing satellite TV customers with a break-through TV experience.
GLOBO has acquired a 35 percentequity interest in ReachFurther Communications, a content and turnkey VAS aggregator. The acquisition strengthens GLOBO's strategic position in the VAS arena with a clear focus on mobile.
This aquisition will create a new sales channel for CitronGO! — GLOBO's new breed of open mobile communication software — that will be commercially launched in early 2009. As part of the agreement GLOBO will take full management control of ReachFurther Communications. ReachFurther Communications has proven their expertise in VAS development, especially in multimedia-rich content networks with leading mobile and fixed service operators, such as Vodafone, WIND, CYTA and OTE. ReachFurther Communications will offer CitronGO! through the Company's own sales and distribution channels with mobile and fixed operators in order to promote a rapid service uptake. Collaboration between the two firms will enable the Group to use convergent technologies — mobile and fixed line — to extend content delivery, based on existing agreements, using the SaaS business model.
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Harris Corporation's ATSC Mobile DTV technology platform for broadcasters and consumer electronics manufacturers is expected to be available within the next 60 days. The technology enables the first significant new over-the-air broadcast medium in decades, delivering a mix of broadcast-quality video and data services to a variety of consumer mobile devices.
In cooperation with the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), Harris is presenting a series of live ATSC Mobile DTV demos this week at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. ATSC Mobile DTV was recently elevated to ATSC Candidate Standard status, an official recognition that paves the way for consumer electronics manufacturers to begin developing receiving devices. Approximately 95 percent of the technical capabilities of the ATSC Candidate Standard are being demonstrated at CES this year. Harris has indicated that 100 percent of the technology required for Mobile DTV transmission will be deliverable to broadcasters within 60 days. The complete Harris ATSC Mobile DTV platform provides the broadcast equipment that ATSC broadcasters need to immediately begin transmission of ATSC Mobile DTV services once the standard is approved.
The complete Harris ATSC Mobile DTV platform includes the software-definable Harris Apex M2X exciter and the Harris NetVX networking platform, which features a mobile video encoder, multiplexer,
and encapsulator. Harris is also working with Roundbox and Triveni
Digital to integrate Electronic Program Guide services for program
stream and data information into its ATSC Mobile DTV platform. Harris
has been fully engaged in the development of Mobile TV technology for
more than two years.
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T-Mobile USA, Inc., and Research In Motion (RIM) (Nasdaq: RIMM: TSX: RIM) have announced the former will offer its customers the new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone, the thinnest and lightest full-QWERTY BlackBerry smartphone.
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 from T-Mobile, in a titanium-colored finish with chrome highlights, combines a compact design with a wide range of popular features and an easy-to-use full-QWERTY keyboard. The phone features built-in GPS and support of location-based services. It also allows easy access to social networking sites and has built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) supporting both voice and data, making it easier to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues. The new smartphone includes a large, vivid display – the highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone – as well as a 512 MHz nexgen processor for fast and responsive performance. The handset’s multimedia capabilities include a 3.2-megapixel camera with image stabilization, digital zoom, flash and the ability to record video and play video, a music player, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and headset, and a hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot with a 256MB card inserted. With support for memory cards up to 16GB, customers can carry, capture and enjoy more of their music, pictures and video anywhere they go. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone from T-Mobile is anticipated to be available in February.
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EchoStar Technologies LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of EchoStar Corporation (NASDAQ: SATS), has debuted their EchoStar SlingLoaded 922 HD DVR at CES 2009, the world’s first HD DVR that incorporates Sling Media’s patented placeshifting technology.
The EchoStar 922’s user interface and remote control were selected as CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award honorees. Demos of the 922 will be held in the Sling Media, Inc., booth and in the DISH Network Corporation booth located in the southeast corner of Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center January 8-11.
Digital media operators, including satellite, cable, and, can benefit from the design and engineering expertise of EchoStar and the features of its 922, including its ability to reduce operational-related customer calls while providing a platform for launching multiple customer-requested content and features beyond linear programming. Diagnostic software tools allow service providers to analyze and cater to the needs of their overall customer base, improving customer service and reducing churn. The EchoStar 922 is an entertainment centerpiece combining the best of video and IP technologies into a stylish, black-chassis, set-top box displaying a capacitive-touch, backlit front bezel. By integrating Sling Media’s Slingbox technology, the EchoStar 922 allows TV aficionados to watch and control their favorite TV shows and sporting events from anywhere in the world via a broadband Internet connection on their laptop or mobile phone. Accessing multiple video sources, viewers will never run out of shows to watch. The EchoStar 922 features a massive 1 terabyte hard drive for up to 1,000 hours of storage and supports connecting an external hard drive for more storage.
Other 922 features include the following:
| Music Synchronicity Is Goal Of Gracenote and Omnifone... | January 11, 2009 |
A demonstration at the 2009 Consumer Electronics show in Las Vegas will show music fans how they can synchronize their existing music library with Omnifone’s award winning unlimited music service of over five million tracks using embedded Gracenote technology. The service works across multiple entertainment platforms instantly and effortlessly while optimizing the quality of the content without the worry about file formats or interoperability. Synchronization of personal and service content with a unified consumer experience across all platforms is paramount to achieving the dramatic growth analysts project for music consumption over the next three years. Forrester’s December 2008 Jupiter Research forecast says U.S. digital music sales will grow by 17 percent per year on average over the next five years to make up 41 percent of sales by 2013, while Juniper Research predicts the success of unlimited music services on mobile platforms will significantly grow digital music revenues, with subscription-based unlimited digital music services overtaking “first generation” pay-per-track services and worth U.S. $3.3 billion by 2012.
| Travel Iconology Travels Well... | January 11, 2009 |
With ICOON, you get what you need. An essential language tool for any leisure or business traveller, this uniquely-designed collection offers more than 500 useful symbols structured into 12 common categories — from hygiene to hair styles, money to measurements, health to accommodations. ICOON digital edition is available for download to your iPhone and iPod touch or only 99 cents and will also soon be available for Blackberry. Just download ICOON to your iPhone and let icons speak for you!
| EchoStar Is In With A Sling With CNET Award... | January 11, 2009 |
CNET, in cooperation with the Consumer Electronics Association, selected the EchoStar 922 SlingLoaded STB out of hundreds of entries from CES during a live CNET announcement in Las Vegas. The EchoStar 922 won in the home video category — only 10 products were given the exclusive “Best of CES” recognition. The EchoStar 922 is an entertainment centerpiece combining the best of video and IP technologies into a capacitive-touch STB. By integrating Sling Media’s Slingbox technology, the EchoStar 922 lets TV aficionados watch and control their favorite TV shows and sporting events from anywhere in the world via a broadband Internet connection on their laptop or mobile phone. Accessing multiple video sources, viewers will never run out of shows to watch. The EchoStar 922 features a massive 1 terabyte hard drive for up to 1,000 hours of storage and supports external hard drives. EchoStar will deliver the EchoStar 922 to its first operator, DISH Network, in spring 2009, as the HD DuoDVR SlingLoaded ViP 922, furnishing satellite TV customers with a break-through TV experience.
| Going GLOBO... Acquisition Accomplishment... | January 11, 2009 |
This aquisition will create a new sales channel for CitronGO! — GLOBO's new breed of open mobile communication software — that will be commercially launched in early 2009. As part of the agreement GLOBO will take full management control of ReachFurther Communications. ReachFurther Communications has proven their expertise in VAS development, especially in multimedia-rich content networks with leading mobile and fixed service operators, such as Vodafone, WIND, CYTA and OTE. ReachFurther Communications will offer CitronGO! through the Company's own sales and distribution channels with mobile and fixed operators in order to promote a rapid service uptake. Collaboration between the two firms will enable the Group to use convergent technologies — mobile and fixed line — to extend content delivery, based on existing agreements, using the SaaS business model.
| Broadcasting To Mobile DTV Demos @ CES By Harris... | January 09, 2009 |
In cooperation with the Open Mobile Video Coalition (OMVC), Harris is presenting a series of live ATSC Mobile DTV demos this week at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas. ATSC Mobile DTV was recently elevated to ATSC Candidate Standard status, an official recognition that paves the way for consumer electronics manufacturers to begin developing receiving devices. Approximately 95 percent of the technical capabilities of the ATSC Candidate Standard are being demonstrated at CES this year. Harris has indicated that 100 percent of the technology required for Mobile DTV transmission will be deliverable to broadcasters within 60 days. The complete Harris ATSC Mobile DTV platform provides the broadcast equipment that ATSC broadcasters need to immediately begin transmission of ATSC Mobile DTV services once the standard is approved.
| QWERTY Pickup By T-Mobile From RIM... | January 08, 2009 |
The BlackBerry Curve 8900 from T-Mobile, in a titanium-colored finish with chrome highlights, combines a compact design with a wide range of popular features and an easy-to-use full-QWERTY keyboard. The phone features built-in GPS and support of location-based services. It also allows easy access to social networking sites and has built-in Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) supporting both voice and data, making it easier to stay connected to family, friends and colleagues. The new smartphone includes a large, vivid display – the highest resolution available on a BlackBerry smartphone – as well as a 512 MHz nexgen processor for fast and responsive performance. The handset’s multimedia capabilities include a 3.2-megapixel camera with image stabilization, digital zoom, flash and the ability to record video and play video, a music player, a 3.5 mm stereo headset jack and headset, and a hot-swappable microSD/SDHC memory card slot with a 256MB card inserted. With support for memory cards up to 16GB, customers can carry, capture and enjoy more of their music, pictures and video anywhere they go. The new BlackBerry Curve 8900 smartphone from T-Mobile is anticipated to be available in February.
| EchoStar Slinging Away At CES... | January 08, 2009 |
The EchoStar 922’s user interface and remote control were selected as CES Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Award honorees. Demos of the 922 will be held in the Sling Media, Inc., booth and in the DISH Network Corporation booth located in the southeast corner of Central Hall of the Las Vegas Convention Center January 8-11.
Digital media operators, including satellite, cable, and, can benefit from the design and engineering expertise of EchoStar and the features of its 922, including its ability to reduce operational-related customer calls while providing a platform for launching multiple customer-requested content and features beyond linear programming. Diagnostic software tools allow service providers to analyze and cater to the needs of their overall customer base, improving customer service and reducing churn. The EchoStar 922 is an entertainment centerpiece combining the best of video and IP technologies into a stylish, black-chassis, set-top box displaying a capacitive-touch, backlit front bezel. By integrating Sling Media’s Slingbox technology, the EchoStar 922 allows TV aficionados to watch and control their favorite TV shows and sporting events from anywhere in the world via a broadband Internet connection on their laptop or mobile phone. Accessing multiple video sources, viewers will never run out of shows to watch. The EchoStar 922 features a massive 1 terabyte hard drive for up to 1,000 hours of storage and supports connecting an external hard drive for more storage.
Other 922 features include the following:
- Supports 1080p, 1080i, 720p, 480i, and 480p
- Internet-delivered Video on Demand
- Users can move forward one day at a time in the guide while browsing a full or partial screen program guide
- Connect to the home network via Ethernet, HomePlug Turbo (using home power lines), or WiFi (with optional WiFi adapter)
- Comprehensive search capability across all available video sources, including IP, VOD, linear TV or DVR
- Intuitive timer creation and DVR management, allowing users to categorize programming by groups (video source, title, genres) or by content description (date, length, ratings and more)
- Load photos, MP3s and selected Internet content
- Future upgrades may include photo sharing, movie ticket purchases, family calendar, instant messaging, streaming audio, and ability to transfer content within a home network
EchoStar will deliver the EchoStar 922 to its first operator, DISH Network, in spring 2009 as the HD DuoDVR SlingLoaded ViP 922, furnishing satellite TV customers with a break-through TV experience and letting DISH Network customers take their favorite shows on the road or into another room. EchoStar will also leverage the features of the 922 by announcing this spring a tru2way SlingLoaded STB for trials for the cable industry.
| Starz Travels The MediaPath With TANDBERG | January 08, 2009 |
Starz On Demand, Encore On Demand, and MoviePlex On Demand provide hundreds of movies each month to subscribers viewing on satellite, cable, and broadband platforms. This on demand content is currently delivered from Starz to its affiliates using the TANDBERG Classic MediaPath system. A seamless migration path is provided by the new MediaPath system ensuring no service interruption for Starz and its affiliates. As MediaPath now supports MPEG-4 AVC, as well as virtually any content file and metadata format, Starz may support more delivery methods to its affiliates and offer a wider selection of content to its subscribers. Proactive monitoring ensures content is flowing throughout the delivery system. An enhanced user-interface provides easy access to the added functions and increased options available with the new MediaPath system.
| Routing NETGEAR's NexGen Goodies To Your Attention... | January 08, 2009 |
The new wireless router and modem router deliver the highest speeds, range, security, energy efficiency, and enhanced reliability for consumers looking to upgrade their network environments and take full advantage of a growing number of bandwidth-hungry applications, online gaming, and HD video streaming. The 3G Mobile Broadband Wireless Router is perfect for people looking to share their 3G broadband Internet access while on the go. NETGEAR’s RangeMax Dual Band Wireless-N Gigabit Router (WNDR3700) has been honored with a “Best of Innovations” in the Home Networking category of the Consumer Electronics Show Innovations 2009 Design and Engineering Awards, the industry’s highest accolade. It, along with NETGEAR’s other product innovations, will be on display this week at CES in the NETGEAR booth, 30769, in the South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center.
| Falling for Niagara 2100 from ViewCast | January 08, 2009 |
"In light of the economic challenges facing many organizations today, the Niagara 2100 is well-timed, and represents an exceptional value in enabling Web-based video communications for a variety of applications," said ViewCast President and CEO Dave Stoner. "The Niagara 2100 captures, encodes, and streams video with plug-and-play simplicity via an easy-to-use Web interface. While the encoder includes many of the same powerful features found in ViewCast's professional-grade streaming appliances, its programmable streaming profiles and convenient front-panel display allow educators, IT professionals, and government officials to quickly and easily encode video for reliable live and on-demand streaming."
Stoner added that continuing additions of new streaming technologies are part of the company's strategy to increase its presence in the video streaming market and develop a broader base of customers. The trend to streaming all types of programming and information over the Internet and mobile networks is beginning to accelerate, as more broadcasters and other content owners are seeking larger or more targeted viewing audiences. According to a recent forecast by Cisco Systems (Cisco Visual Networking Index–Forecast and Methodology, 2007-2012; June 16, 2008), "IP traffic will nearly double every two years through 2012" and video traffic, now approximately one-quarter of all consumer Internet traffic, will account for 50 percent by 2012. Find out more at at this site.
| Best Buy Bets On Refurb'd iPhones | January 07, 2009 |
According to Reuters, these are used iPhones, all having been returned to the retail stores within 30 days of their purchase. With new iPhones packing a premium price of between $197 and $297 at the Best Buy Mobile outlets, these refurbs range in price between $149 and $249. Also of note is the fact that those who purchased the 1G iPhone can upgrade to the 3G refurbs, as well. Although Best Buy states this move is not to offset similar undertakings by Wal-Mart, it is rather interesting to note that this iPhone option at Best Buy did not occur until the competition's decision to sell such late last year.
| Mobile Device Testing Is GO/NO GO Solution | January 07, 2009 |
| Rugged Use OK With New Motorola Tundra | January 07, 2009 |
Tundra combines uncompromised call quality, optional workforce management tools, navigation capabilities, access to the web on the nation's fastest 3G network and AT&T Mobility's Push To Talk (PTT) service and will be available January 13th and is designed to withstand the most strenuous conditions, meeting U.S. 810F Military Specifications (MIL) for drop, dust, vibration, humidity, severe temperatures and rain. Tundra includes Motorola's CrystalTalk Plus with dual microphone technology or immediately connect to a single person or an entire team with the touch of a button using PTT technology. Tundra provides exceptional usability with unique features designed for workforce management, such as voice activation, phone book locking for call restrictions, a rugged antenna and keys that can be easily pressed while wearing gloves. AT&T Navigator provides turn-by-turn directions to new locations and is available with a 30- day free trial. The phone also offers access to AT&T Music and a 2.0 megapixel camera to snap and share still images and video. Tundra also has 100 MB of available memory and up to 4GB of optional removable memory, and it can be paired with a host of compatible Bluetooth-enabled accessories.
