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Cisco, Arris & Casa Make the CableLabs Grade
2007-12-21 23:52:00
CableLabs has awarded Docsis 3.0 qualification to three cable modem termination system (CMTS) vendors -- Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS - message board), Casa Systems Inc. , and Cisco Systems Inc. (Nasdaq: CSCO - message board) -- following the conclusion of Certification Wave 56, the first to conduct official tests on a spec that promises shared speeds in excess of 100 Mbit/s. (See CableLabs Stamps CMTSs .) While CMTS 3.0 approvals mark a significant milestone in the history of cable's Docsis effort, CableLabs officials confirmed Wednesday morning that it did not award 3.0 certifications to any modems submitted in the recently concluded test wave. CableLabs has not disclosed any of the participants in Wave 56, but, according to data culled by Cable Digital News, at least three cable modem makers -- Arris, Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT - message board), and Scientific Atlanta , the Cisco subsidiary -- submitted modems for 3.0 testing. Those models were based on chipsets from Texas ...
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Rabbit-Ear Users Don’t Know The End (of Analog TV) Is Near
2007-12-21 23:49:00
In less than 14 months, any traditional television set still connected to its antenna will receive nothing but static, as the broadcasting industry cuts over completely to its new digital frequencies.A recent poll by the marketing arm of the cable industry shows that most people still have no clue this is going to happen. In a telephone survey in November of 1,017 people, only 48 percent said they had heard about the switch to digital television. And only 17 percent correctly identified 2009 as the year that analog television will be cut off. (The survey had a margin of error of 3.1 percentage points.) Most people don’t actually need to know anything. The switch won’t affect sets with cable or satellite service. But 17 percent of households don’t have pay service on any of their sets. And another 21 percent of households have cable or satellite on some sets, but at least one set left that gets television over the air. (Some of those are mainly used for playing video games or w...
More About: Users , Analog , Anal

FCC announces names of 700MHz wireless auction bidders
2007-12-21 23:45:00
The US telecoms regulator the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) yesterday published the names of applicants wishing to bid in the much-anticipated January auction of wireless spectrum in the 700MHz band. Among the 266 names listed a few come as no surprise: Google, which earlier this year said earlier this year made it clear it was willing to pay up to USD4.6 billion for licences in the ‘C’ block of spectrum, has thrown its hat in the ring along with cable operator Cablevision Systems, mobile chipmaker Qualcomm, satellite TV provider EchoStar and telcos AT&T Inc and Verizon Wireless . However many of the other names to make the regulator’s original 3 December deadline are far less well known, such as GreenFly LLC, Paul Bunyan Rural Telephone Cooperative Inc, Vulcan Spectrum (backed by Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen) and Guam Cellular & Paging. Another company raising eyebrows over its desire to be involved in the telecoms sector is Chevron USA.A total of 96 appli...
More About: Auction , Names

Today’s HDTV, or Next Year’s?
2007-12-21 23:41:00
BUYERS of consumer electronics are haunted by one question: Should I buy now or wait for new features, better performance and lower prices? Certainly anyone who has considered buying a high-definition television has had that thought. The prices on 40-inch and 42-inch high-definition TVs have dropped almost 39 percent this year. Riddhi Patel, principal television analyst for the market research firm iSuppli, expects them to drop another 30 percent next year. She said that 47-inch and 52-inch sets, whose average price fell more than 40 percent this year, could drop another 25 percent before the end of 2008. For consumers who care greatly about what advances are just around the corner, the only correct answer would be to wait. But with technology, that’s almost always the case. Of course, gadget marketers can’t afford to have that kind of thinking take hold. First adopters, those willing to pay top dollar for the latest features, drive the industry. So the marketers make a compel...
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MTV Taps Bruckheimer to Craft Videogames
2007-12-20 01:42:00
MTV is bringing some star power to its videogame business. Jerry Bruckheimer, the producer behind blockbusters including "Pirates of the Caribbean" and "CSI: Crime Scene Investigation," will expand his entertainment footprint with a deal to create original videogames with MTV. The collaboration, announced today, is part of a growing effort by MTV's parent, Viacom Inc., to participate in the fast-growing videogame business. Viacom boosted its clout in the industry with the acquisition last year of Harmonix, the company behind popular music videogame "Rock Band," and it has committed to spending $500 million on games and interactive entertainment by the summer of 2009. Mr. Bruckheimer's move to add videogames to his repertoire underscores an increasing interest among Hollywood power brokers in participating creatively and financially in the games business. Director Steven Spielberg has a deal with games publisher Electronic Arts Inc. to create three original games, the first of whi...
More About: Craft , Videogames

Merry Christmas, Google Talk bots bring real-time translation
2007-12-20 00:09:00
Google Talk has added a number of bots that translate text for you, using Google’s Translation technology. To use them, just add the bot to your contact list. The bot names are all name@bot.talk.google.com, with the name being the two letter language code being translated from, the number 2, and the two letter code for the language being translated too. Google lists out about 30 total language bots in the announcement post on the Google Talk blog. The bots are all logically named according to their translation duty, such as en2ko@bot.talk.google.com, signifying an English to Korean translation. Just like Google's other language services, English is the dominant language across the translations, though some non-English bots such as fr2de do exist. Users must add a bot to their Gmail contact list in order to communicate with the bot or use it in a group chat. Once added though, these bots will do their job both in Gmail and other Google Talk implementation...
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KDDI & Willcom to WiMAX Japan
2007-12-19 23:08:00
KDDI, Japan ’s number two cellular carrier, will receive one of two WiMax licenses to be awarded soon by the Japanese government, a report said Tuesday. The KDDI group, called Wireless Broadband Planning, and one led by rival carrier Willcom will be recommended by Japan’s Ministry of Internal Affairs and Communications on Friday to a panel charged with selecting the groups to win the licenses, reports Reuters. The panel is expected to follow the ministry’s recommendations. Intel owns a 17.65 percent stake in KDDI’s Wireless Broadband Planning group. The stake is matched by East Japan Railway and Kyocera, and all three sit behind leading shareholder KDDI, which has a 32.26 percent stake. The WiMax services will operate in the 2.5GHz band and will be capable of providing data service at up to 20Mbps to terminals travelling at up to 100 kilometers per hour, according to the Japanese government. Japan’s cell phone carriers have been testing WiMax for some time. It will likely m...
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FCC Approves Plan to Eliminate Cross-Ownership Ban
2007-12-19 18:15:00
Broadcasters and Newspapers Could Be Owned By Same Company in One Market WASHINGTON (AdAge.com) -- A divided Federal Communications Commission approved what could be the biggest change in the country's media ownership rules in more than a decade, allowing cross-ownership of newspapers and broadcasters in the same market. On a 3-2 party-line vote, the FCC approved Chairman Kevin J. Martin's plan to eliminate its more than 30-year-old ban on cross-ownership. Instead, newspapers will be able to buy any broadcast station that isn't among the Big Four networks in the top 20 markets; publishers may also be able to buy broadcasters in smaller markets by promising to add at least seven hours of news a week to the acquired stations' programming. Last-minute changes In a last-minute change, the FCC gave permanent waivers to newspapers and TV stations in 42 markets that already have cross-ownership, some in violation of the new rule. All will get permanent waivers, a mov...
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Switched Digital Video Solutions
2007-12-17 18:22:00
Switched Video , also called Switched Digital Video or SDV, is a telecommunications industry term for a network scheme for distributing digital video via a cable with limited capacity. Switched video sends the digital video in a more efficient manner so that additional uses may be made of the freed up bandwidth. The scheme applies to digital video distribution both on typical cable TV systems using QAM channels, or on IPTV systems. However, the advantages of SDV enabled networks come with a significant increase in network and video delivery complexity including: Increase in required network compute resourcesIncreased communication overheadReal-time association and switching of video flows to the home Cable MSOs across North America and Europe are already aware of the potential benefits and rewards of implementing Switched Digital Video (SDV) networks. By implementing SDV, cable MSOs will be better positioned to compete against the telcos and their promise of advanced services w...
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CableLabs: DCRs Want Their SDV
2007-12-17 18:12:00
The "tuner resolver" adapter based on specifications that CableLabs announced - but did not release - two weeks ago will involve multiple implementations. It will also use MSO rather than retail channels.The device is designed to allow one-way Digital Cable Ready (DCR) electronics using CableCards, such as TiVo digital video recorders (DVRs), to access cable operators' switched digital video (SDV) channels.In a statement released by the consortium, CableLabs President/CEO Dr. Richard Green said the adapter will solve the switched digital issue for Unidirectional Digital Cable-Ready Products (UDCPs), enabling customers to view all linear channels. Problem worth resolving According to Ralph Brown, CTO of CableLabs, back when one-way regulation was initially being discussed, the Consumer Electronics Association was pushing a straight digital television (DTV) agenda. At the same time, the cable industry was already looking ahead to two-way communication. The reason for this, Brown sa...

First DOCSIS 3.0 Modems Could Be $100
2007-12-13 23:59:00
Initial Wave of Products to Be More Expensive Than Anticipated The first wave of cable’s next-generation cable modems, which promise downloads up to 160 megabits per second, are currently in the middle of certification testing by CableLabs and should be ready for early deployments in 2008. But as the ship dates near for the initial modems that use CableLabs’ Data Over Cable Service Interface Specification 3.0, it’s becoming clearer that DOCSIS 3.0 modems will be more expensive than perhaps previously anticipated. John Sweeney, Scientific Atlanta director of product strategy and management, estimated that the street price of a 3.0 modem will be around $100, adding that quantity has a large effect on the per-unit price. Current DOCSIS 2.0 modems cost an average of $65 to $70, according to research firm In-Stat. “It’s not the $10-to-$20 delta [between 2.0 and 3.0] the cable operators were encouraging the industry to hit,” Sweeney said. DOCSIS 3.0 delivers higher bandwidth ...
More About: Modems

RFID is already in use all around us
2007-12-13 21:01:00
RFID is Poised for ChangeThe prosperous RFID business is on track to grow from about $5 billion in 2007 today to over $25 billion in 2017. Without collusion, most analysts agree to figures in that region and several of them see huge volumes of extremely low cost tags forming a part of the growth - even hundreds of billions in ten years from now. Basic rules of marketing Firstly, selling RFID to consumer goods companies mandated by major retailers usually breaks one of the fundamental rules of marketing "Never sell to someone who does not want to buy from you". Most of the consumer goods companies in the USA see no payback from fitting the passive UHF labels mandated by retailers, indeed, they may have lost a mutual $100 million so far trying to do so, despite the RFID suppliers losing a similar sum selling tags and readers to them at a loss. The consumer goods companies are therefore quick to point out the technical problems and they use any other valid reason to delay. The contras...

Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma? Forecasts China Online Advertisement Market S
2007-12-13 20:30:00
Analysys International, a leading advisor of technology, media and telecom (TMT) industries in China , says in its recently released report China Online Advertisement Market Trend Forecast 2006-2010, that China online advertisement market size will reach RMB 11.563 billion by the end of 2010, maintaining annual compound growth of 26.2%.Analysys International forecasts that the number of online advertising clients will keep annual growth rate of 20% in the next three year.To improve your chinese ;)huì- Huì means 'can' and goes in front of a verb. If you want to ask 'Can you speak English?', say Nǐ huì shuō Yīngwén ma? If someone asks you Nǐ huì shuō Zhōngwén ma?, Do you speak Chinese?, and you want to say 'Yes', simply say huì, 'can'. Please note that the Chinese phrases for 'yes', shì de, and 'no', bù shì, are not frequently used when answering questions.
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Top 21 U.S. ISPs by Subscriber: Q2 2007
2007-12-12 23:28:00
Growth was so slow (and non-monopoly business so tough) in Q2 that two ISPs' subscriber losses were greater than the gains of the remainder. 1 SBC (AT&T) (business and consumer DSL, ISDN, U-Verse, and satellite) 17.3 17.5% 2 Comcast (cable broadband) 12.4 12.6% 3 America Online (all U.S. AOL brand accounts) 10.9 11.1% 4 Verizon (FiOS ...
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Top 25 Providers
2007-12-12 23:21:00
This is the list of companies that, in the view of ASPnews, are the world's 25 leading service providers for the ASP, Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Web Services, Service-Oriented Architecture (SOA), and Utility Computing industries. For inclusion, companies must meet the following criteria: Have the provision of network-based applications and/or services as their core business Have a substantial and active end-user customer base for those services Be able to demonstrate proven revenue streams Be innovators in the online delivery of software-based services Be recognized as a leader by others within the industry CompanyDescriptionLocation AspectiveApplication OutsourcerStaines, England ClickabilitySoftware-as-a-Service ProviderSan Francisco, Calif. Concur TechnologiesSoftware-as-a-Service Provider,Application Software VendorRecently acquired OuttaskRedmond, Wash. CrownPeakSoftware-as-a-Service ProviderLos Angeles, Calif. EmailLabsSoftware-as-a-Service Provider,Business Servic...

Six Must-Know HDTV Facts
2007-12-11 23:41:00
Disappointed by how fuzzy CNN looks on your new HDTV? Wondering why Jack Bauer looks so soft and plump on your new flat-screen? Maybe it's because you're not really watching HD on your high-def TV. According to Audioholics, almost half of the 24 million homes with HDTVs lack an HD cable or satellite feed, and about a quarter of those surveyed didn't even know they were still watching non-HD signals. Why such big numbers? Actually, it's not hard to understand; I can't tell you how many times I've watched salespeople at TV stores push HDTVs on hapless shoppers, going on and on about the razor-sharp picture and surround sound, but not bothering to tell them how to get HD signals into their living rooms.The Audioholics story ticks off six things you need to know before you buy an HDTV, and it's a must-read if you're in the market for your first high-def set. Here's a brief summary of some of the pointers, along with some thoughts of my own: Your new HDTV needs an HD feed: Just ...
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Guide to Buying an HDTV ready for DTV transition
2007-12-10 23:12:00
Congress passed a law on February 1, 2006, setting a final deadline for the DTV transition of February 17, 2009. Most television stations will continue broadcasting both analog and digital programming until February 17, 2009, when all analog broadcasting will stop. Analog TVs receiving over-the-air programming will still work after that date, but owners of these TVs will need to buy converter boxes to change digital broadcasts into analog format. Converter boxes will be available from consumer electronic products retailers at that time. Cable and satellite subscribers with analog TVs should contact their service providers about obtaining converter boxes for the DTV transition.This is a very exciting time for consumers, manufacturers and broadcasters. But, there are still some questions as we approach this date. CE.org/hdtv is your one-stop resource for information, numbers, education and updates. Click on the links below to learn the ins-and-outs of this breathtaking new era in TV!I...
More About: Buying , Guide , Hdtv , Transition , Ready

Top Ten Mobile Navigation Brands By Revenue
2007-12-09 18:03:00
Rank Brand1 Garmin2 TomTom3 Magellan4 Mio5 Pioneer6 Eclipse7 Dual Audio8 Alpine9 Lowrance Electronics10 NavmanTotal Revenue Share = 97.7%Retail Sales, Nov 2006 - April 2007Source: TWICE July 2007, NPD Group
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Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) vs Open Handset Alliance™ Android Platform
2007-12-09 16:10:00
Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum Completes Release of 1.0 SpecificationsTargets interoperability & marketability of Linux-based mobile phones through shared open standards and implementationsSOPHIA ANTIPOLIS, FRANCE, December 10, 2007—The Linux Phone Standards (LiPS) Forum today announced completion of the LiPS Release 1.0 specifications, fulfilling the commitment announced in June of this year. With this release, LiPS enables mobile industry players to achieve basic interoperability for applications and services deployed on Linux-based phones, benefiting Linux-based software stack suppliers, mobile device OEMs and regional and global telecom operators. These specifications include the LiPS Reference Model, Telephony, Messaging, Calendaring and Scheduling, Presence, User Interface Services, Address Book and Voice Call Enablers APIs.In contrast to recent announcements from other bodies promoting Linux-based mobile software, LiPS output targets interoperability through real op...
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TIVO Holiday gift
2007-12-09 15:03:00
Only TiVo offers a complete home entertainment experience, including:Award-winning features that automatically record your favorite shows-whenever they're onA search engine to find and automatically record the shows that match your interests (by title, actor, director, category, even keyword)Easy home networking features that enable online services like Podcasts, Yahoo! Weather & Traffic, and local movie listings & tickets from FandangoEasy-to-use to-go features that let you transfer shows to your laptop or portable device, or easily burn them to DVD*Scheduling last-minute shows from the Web [SKU:TCD652-03200000] Price: $449 The new TiVo HD DVR with Series3 technology represents the latest and greatest in TiVo high-definition DVR technology. The Series3 "lite" retains al...
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Alloptic Funded for Cable FTTP Growth
2007-12-09 12:59:00
Alloptic Inc. , a company that could figure heavily into cable fiber-to-the-premises (FTTP) strategies, has landed $24 million in Series B funding led by legacy investors Arcapita Ventures and Ritchie Capital Management . (See Alloptic Bags $24M.) The company, which has 69 employees and has raised a total of $39 million since hitting the reset button in 2005, said it will use the new infusion to support international expansion, protect its patent portfolio, and expand support for the MicroNode, a product that handles the optical-to-electrical conversion at the subscriber home or business building. Alloptic, along with companies such as Motorola Inc. (NYSE: MOT - message board), Arris Group Inc. (Nasdaq: ARRS - message board), CommScope Inc. (NYSE: CTV - message board), Scientific Atlanta , and Aurora Networks Inc. , has been developing cable FTTP products particularly as MSOs create momentum for a new initiative called RF Over Glass (RFOG). (See Moto Expands 'Cable PON' Strat...
More About: Growth , Allo

Google Starts to Index Images Uploaded to Blogger
2007-12-09 12:43:00
Even if this sounds hard to believe, Google Image Search started to index images uploaded to Blogger in December 2007. Until this month, all the images were prevented from being indexed by search engines for unknown reasons. This move is closely related to the fact that the images hosted at Picasa Web Albums started to be indexed by Google.The chart from Google Analytics shows the number of referrals from images.google.com for this blog:... and here are some results from Google Image Search:The images uploaded from Blogger's interface are hosted at Picasa Web Albums, but they're also available at subdomains like bpX.blogger.com, where X is a digit. Another Blogger oddity, inherited from Picasa Web, is that you can't directly link to an image (if you click on a link to one of the two images uploaded above, you'll see a dialog that asks you to download the image). Blogger even has a workaround for this silly restriction: it automatically creates web pages that include the pictures...
More About: Images , Index , Uploaded

Cable Troubleshooting Guide
2007-12-08 16:47:00
This guide contains information for fixing issues with cable, mostly compiled from a friend who works for Adelphia cable here in New Castle, Pa. This guide will aim at resolving lost connection and slow speed issues by yourself. You should also try tweaking in addition to those suggestions. After going through the steps in this guide, if you are still having problems with your speed, you may need your cable company to come and replace the cable line from the pole to your house. The cable run from the pole could be damaged, old, or have water in the line. If you are still having problems staying connected after that it is most likely on your ISP's end. Contact them and have them look into the problem. If they don't resolve the problem in a timely manner, or can't, changing ISP's is usually possible. Anyway here are some steps you can take to ensure the best signal levels at your end: Remove unnecessary splitters 1. Take a look at your cable wiring in your house. Trace the on...
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