Though Adobe's Soundbooth will only run on Intel based machines (Windows or MacOS X), Adobe's next generation of Creative Suite tools wont have that limitation and will run on both PowerPC and Intel architechtures as a Universal Binary.
Adobe still have a lot of customers utilising PowerPC machines and it would seem unwise to not give them an upgrade path.
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30 Ekim 2006 Pazartesi
24 Ekim 2006 Salı
Demon up for sale
As reported by the Daily Telegraph Demon are up for sale. It's looks like THUS are following C&W's lead in "concentrating on business customers". Could it also be that margin on broadband is rapidly decreasing and so it's all about value add service, which traditional ISPs don't really supply (they're all about access).
It will be a shame as Demon were the first real consumer ISP in the UK, but THUS as a business has to consider what's best for its shareholders and getting rid of a low margin product is probably the way forward.
It will be a shame as Demon were the first real consumer ISP in the UK, but THUS as a business has to consider what's best for its shareholders and getting rid of a low margin product is probably the way forward.
19 Ekim 2006 Perşembe
UK Skype users get free calls
Well almost, Skype's Talk for Britain campaign offers free calls to UK landlines (geographic numbers) for 6 months. However UK users have to purchase £10 worth of Skype credit in order to get the offer.
That credit can then be used for other services (like SMS, calls to mobiles etc).
When most companies are charging £10 per month for unlimited UK calls, it's a reasonable price.
That credit can then be used for other services (like SMS, calls to mobiles etc).
When most companies are charging £10 per month for unlimited UK calls, it's a reasonable price.
Orange's UK network falls over due to human error
It seems Orange's network outage was due to network upgrade that went wrong, someone put an acl on the wrong system or interface which triggered a routing update that locked out a load of devices and the network fell over.
Maybe that person doesn't have such a bright future?
Maybe that person doesn't have such a bright future?
BT going to bid for 2.5GHz UK spectrum?
BT is expected to be a front runner in the bidding for the 2.5GHz license that Ofcom expects to make available next year, though it wont actually be available until 2008.
That is almost perfect timing as BT will be mid 21CN roll-out and it will fit in with being able to offer high speed broadband services to rural areas where ADSL2+ wont reach using WiMAX.
They could just cut to the chase and just buy Pipex which would give them an extra 600K users and a wireless license.
That is almost perfect timing as BT will be mid 21CN roll-out and it will fit in with being able to offer high speed broadband services to rural areas where ADSL2+ wont reach using WiMAX.
They could just cut to the chase and just buy Pipex which would give them an extra 600K users and a wireless license.
Bryce for $6
DAZ 3D have announced the next version of Bryce (v6) and Platinum club members can purchase it for the pricely sum of $6.
Bryce has a dedicated set of followers and can produce reasonably realistic landscapes, but it has a slightly weird interface.
But for $6 who cares?
Bryce has a dedicated set of followers and can produce reasonably realistic landscapes, but it has a slightly weird interface.
But for $6 who cares?
16 Ekim 2006 Pazartesi
Ofcom issue new guidelines for radio test licenses
Ofcom have published guidelines for radio test licenses. These can be for equipment that is used to demonstrate new radio technology and such like or for tempory use in exhibitions or research and development.
The licenses cost: -
Non-Operational Temporary Use (GBP) £50 for each channel per location each month
Non-Operational Development Use (GBP) £50 for each station or apparatus per location pa.
However there are strict conditions under which test licenses will be issued, so they don't interfere with licensed users.
The licenses cost: -
Non-Operational Temporary Use (GBP) £50 for each channel per location each month
Non-Operational Development Use (GBP) £50 for each station or apparatus per location pa.
However there are strict conditions under which test licenses will be issued, so they don't interfere with licensed users.
Sony fights back at Apple
Sony is to include noise cancelling technology in it's Walkman music players. They contain a microphone which reduce noise in the 100Hz to 1KHz range (which tends to be mechanical noise such as from aircraft, trains etc).
They will also contain technology to better seperate stereo and boost base.
Whether that's enough to dent Apple domination is another matter completely.
They will also contain technology to better seperate stereo and boost base.
Whether that's enough to dent Apple domination is another matter completely.
Intel debuts Core 2 Quad in November
Intel is releasing it's new Core 2 Quad CPU in November at an HP event. HP are aiming at high end users (CAD, analysis etc) but the mainstream CPU's wont actually be in major production until next year.
Meanwhile will ship Core 2 Extreme's this year aimed at gaming enthusiasts to test the quad core market. Intel has lined up 13 gaming machine manufacturers to supply systems with the new chips.
AMD is aso launching quad core CPUs, but not until the middle of next year. AMD is saying they are better designs and will outperform Intel, but Intel will soon have working chips in the market.
Meanwhile will ship Core 2 Extreme's this year aimed at gaming enthusiasts to test the quad core market. Intel has lined up 13 gaming machine manufacturers to supply systems with the new chips.
AMD is aso launching quad core CPUs, but not until the middle of next year. AMD is saying they are better designs and will outperform Intel, but Intel will soon have working chips in the market.
E-Frontier announces Poser 7
Poser is a 3D character animation program that's been around for a long time. The new version contains two new models, but apart from that details are scarce.
If the product is pre-ordered users get a High Stakes pack too which contains clothing and props for the new figures.
Upgrades cost $129 (from certain previous versions).
If the product is pre-ordered users get a High Stakes pack too which contains clothing and props for the new figures.
Upgrades cost $129 (from certain previous versions).
Flapjax - not eddible
A new language called Flapjax is now available which should make programming with AJAX (Asynchronous JavaScript and XML) much easier.
It was designed by people at Brown University and they host a Flapjax server which allows users to upload and test code, they've also released the code under a BSD license allowing others to implement it.
It looks quite cool if you're into flashy dynamic websites.
It was designed by people at Brown University and they host a Flapjax server which allows users to upload and test code, they've also released the code under a BSD license allowing others to implement it.
It looks quite cool if you're into flashy dynamic websites.
15 Ekim 2006 Pazar
Fry's - get a bargain
Fry's is an amazing store, it's got lots of stuff and some at amazing pricing.
This wekend they had a special offer on Seagate 400GB disks, PATA (IDE) were $119 and SATA $129.
750GB disks were $339 which is a pretty good price.
They were also selling a Pentium D950 for $139 which is a silly price (in the UK they average about £200).
They now have an on-line store too (which is really Outpost.com, but now with Fry's branding).
This wekend they had a special offer on Seagate 400GB disks, PATA (IDE) were $119 and SATA $129.
750GB disks were $339 which is a pretty good price.
They were also selling a Pentium D950 for $139 which is a silly price (in the UK they average about £200).
They now have an on-line store too (which is really Outpost.com, but now with Fry's branding).
Apple Wireless Mighty Mouse
It's a great mouse. The wired version does everything you could want, the wireless one makes life so much easier - especially with a laptop.
It's got two front-buttons (though you just push the shell of the mouse) a scroll wheel that works both horizontally and vertically - it also works as a button and a rear button.
If you use a Mac get one.
It's got two front-buttons (though you just push the shell of the mouse) a scroll wheel that works both horizontally and vertically - it also works as a button and a rear button.
If you use a Mac get one.
Arqiva Limited wins 412MHz spectrum
Arqiva Limited one the UK spectrum award for all 4 UK areas of 412.0 MHz-414.0 MHz and 422.0 MHz-424.0 MHz, they paid £1,500,025.
Other companies in the bidding were
AirRadio Limited offered £200,037 for any of the licenses (i.e. 1 to 4 or all licenses).
Motorola Ltd offered £205,000
T-Mobile (UK) Ltd offered £250,239 for all of the licenses.
The Joint Radio Company Limited offered £113,146 for some licenses.
Ventura Team Spectrum One Limited offered £387,700 for all for various combinations of the 4 licenses.
Other companies in the bidding were
AirRadio Limited offered £200,037 for any of the licenses (i.e. 1 to 4 or all licenses).
Motorola Ltd offered £205,000
T-Mobile (UK) Ltd offered £250,239 for all of the licenses.
The Joint Radio Company Limited offered £113,146 for some licenses.
Ventura Team Spectrum One Limited offered £387,700 for all for various combinations of the 4 licenses.
12 Ekim 2006 Perşembe
C&W consolidates Bulldog staff
It seems anyone in the Bulldog division who competes with a C&W employee directly is to loose their job.
Who's going to go at AOL now they're owned by Carphone Warehouse?
Tiscali already seem to have moved everyone out of the VideoNetworks building and into Tiscali (and maybe out the door). When Tiscali get bought, that'll be another lot consolidated too.
Who's going to go at AOL now they're owned by Carphone Warehouse?
Tiscali already seem to have moved everyone out of the VideoNetworks building and into Tiscali (and maybe out the door). When Tiscali get bought, that'll be another lot consolidated too.
Internet in the air for free
Flying to the US (west coast) is normally not an exciting experience, though you do get to watch lots of movies you wouldn't normally.
SAS have Boeing's Connexion service which is WiFi in the plane and then some mysterious connection to the rest of the net (assume satellite). Normally this incurs a charge, but as they are shutting the service down they're giving it away. You still have to register as though you're signing up for the full service, but it costs 0.0 per hour (billing records in case you do something dubious).
The seat also had power, so the laptop got a full charge.
Download speeds of 70KB/s were pretty good and a Mac Office upgrade (50MB) didn't take too long at all. Round trip times were around 600ms. Most applications seemed to work, including MSN and Skype.
The best part of the journey was lending my Apple Powerbook to the nice lady sitting next to me, who happened to work for Microsoft, she could read her Email and let her husband know what time to pick her up. The HP laptop running XP couldn't find a wireless network.
SAS have Boeing's Connexion service which is WiFi in the plane and then some mysterious connection to the rest of the net (assume satellite). Normally this incurs a charge, but as they are shutting the service down they're giving it away. You still have to register as though you're signing up for the full service, but it costs 0.0 per hour (billing records in case you do something dubious).
The seat also had power, so the laptop got a full charge.
Download speeds of 70KB/s were pretty good and a Mac Office upgrade (50MB) didn't take too long at all. Round trip times were around 600ms. Most applications seemed to work, including MSN and Skype.
The best part of the journey was lending my Apple Powerbook to the nice lady sitting next to me, who happened to work for Microsoft, she could read her Email and let her husband know what time to pick her up. The HP laptop running XP couldn't find a wireless network.
11 Ekim 2006 Çarşamba
Carphone Warehouse buys AOL UK for £370m
Carphone Warehouse (CPW) has purchased the UK division of AOL for £370m. This may seem expensive (some £200+ per customer) but it's reasonably cheap for what they're getting. Since CPW have not yet unbundled many (if any) exchanges, being able to move their customers over and off IPStream is a huge saving for them (WLR + IPStream for 20 quid a month, they're losing lots of money per customer). AOL will already have booked to go into x00 more exchanges, while CPW starting from scratch will be
looking at an extended (time) roll-out, just because it takes so long for BT to get access.
Now CPW have 1.5m + 700K'ish broadband customers, it makes them the 3rd largest provider of broadband in the UK (BT Retail and NTL larger), plus they have 2m+ phone customers.
Though they now expect to make a big loss next year, they've got those customers away from BT and BT will find it difficult to get them back (assuming they fix their support/provisioning etc, which they are bound to do - actually purchasing AOL effectively gives them a working provisioning/CRM system).
LLU/broadband is all about scale and now CPW have it on a massive scale.
Tiscali UK are next to go (BSkyB/BT are though to be front runners though maybe CPW will also bid). Then the smaller providers will be swallowed up.
looking at an extended (time) roll-out, just because it takes so long for BT to get access.
Now CPW have 1.5m + 700K'ish broadband customers, it makes them the 3rd largest provider of broadband in the UK (BT Retail and NTL larger), plus they have 2m+ phone customers.
Though they now expect to make a big loss next year, they've got those customers away from BT and BT will find it difficult to get them back (assuming they fix their support/provisioning etc, which they are bound to do - actually purchasing AOL effectively gives them a working provisioning/CRM system).
LLU/broadband is all about scale and now CPW have it on a massive scale.
Tiscali UK are next to go (BSkyB/BT are though to be front runners though maybe CPW will also bid). Then the smaller providers will be swallowed up.
9 Ekim 2006 Pazartesi
Confirmed, YouTube sells out to Google
Google have acquired YouTube for $1.65bn, their biggest purchase to date.
Both companies feel each other will be a good fit.
Both companies feel each other will be a good fit.
MAX from Microsoft
Microsoft have released (codename) MAX which is designed to let users share photo albums. Though it can do that, it also has the ability to read RSS and ATOM feeds in a very nice format.
It requires the .NET v3 framework (which will be downloaded if needed) and runs on XP. It wont currently run on Vista.
There's a lot of album sharing software and sites out there, like Google's Picasa, and does the world need another? The RSS/ATOM reader is very well done though.
It requires the .NET v3 framework (which will be downloaded if needed) and runs on XP. It wont currently run on Vista.
There's a lot of album sharing software and sites out there, like Google's Picasa, and does the world need another? The RSS/ATOM reader is very well done though.
Intel to buy NVidia
AMD is buying ATI (the Canadian graphics chip manufacturer) and now Intel is rumoured to be buying NVidia.
NVidia makes high performance chipsets for motherboards (their NForce range) which currently get the best peformance out of AMD CPU's.
Intel make their own graphic chipsets, but they have always been considered low-end and underpowered. The purchase of NVidia would give them a boost in this area, and also may hurt AMD in the process.
NVidia makes high performance chipsets for motherboards (their NForce range) which currently get the best peformance out of AMD CPU's.
Intel make their own graphic chipsets, but they have always been considered low-end and underpowered. The purchase of NVidia would give them a boost in this area, and also may hurt AMD in the process.
Google to buy YouTube?
Google are rumoured to be after YouTube making them an offer of $1.6bn. Google Video hasn't proved that popular, while YouTube is one (if not the) most visited sites on the web. Google could then utilise their on-line advertising skills to make YouTube turn a profit (or even make some money).
The directors of YouTube (who left Ebay to start it) can expect to make several hundred million each if the deal goes through.
Google have over $10bn to spend on acquisitions.
The directors of YouTube (who left Ebay to start it) can expect to make several hundred million each if the deal goes through.
Google have over $10bn to spend on acquisitions.
JahShaka v3 released
JahShaka is an open source real-time video editing package that uses OpenGL as its underlying strength (which also supports hardware acceleration and effects).
JahPlayer has also been released which supports 2K and 4K video formats.
The system has been designed to be multi-platform using Trolltech's open source Qt libraries and works under Windows, Linux and MacOS.
It's a very powerfull package and free, but whether it will dent sales of things like Apple's Final Cut (Express) is yet to be seen.
JahPlayer has also been released which supports 2K and 4K video formats.
The system has been designed to be multi-platform using Trolltech's open source Qt libraries and works under Windows, Linux and MacOS.
It's a very powerfull package and free, but whether it will dent sales of things like Apple's Final Cut (Express) is yet to be seen.
5 Ekim 2006 Perşembe
Fonality buys Tribox
Fonality sells IP PBX systems based on the open source Asterisk system.
Tribox is an open source effort which puts a GUI on top of Asterisk and also links it in to other open source software such as MySQL and SugarCRM. Tribox was known as AMP and makes configuring Asterisk very simple and painless.
Hopefully the Fonality buyout will give the Tribox resources to make the system easy to use and install and not go in another direction which would limit Tribox as it could be seen as a competitor to Fonalities products.
Tribox is an open source effort which puts a GUI on top of Asterisk and also links it in to other open source software such as MySQL and SugarCRM. Tribox was known as AMP and makes configuring Asterisk very simple and painless.
Hopefully the Fonality buyout will give the Tribox resources to make the system easy to use and install and not go in another direction which would limit Tribox as it could be seen as a competitor to Fonalities products.
Wibree, the next generation of PAN
Nokia is trying to introduce a new low power wireless networking standard called Wibree (WiFi, Bluetooth and Zigbee). It will support up to 1Mb/s.
WiFi supports much higher data rates, but is expensive in terms of power consumption, Bluetooth can now support higher rates but is limited and ZigBee supports large networks, but at low data rates (but using extremely low power).
ZigBee actually makes a lot of sense since it's self configuring and allows devices to go to sleep when not used.
The new standard seems to combine the best of all the technologies, which should allow in-home personal networking to be easy to use.
Nokia have set-up a Wibree with more information.
WiFi supports much higher data rates, but is expensive in terms of power consumption, Bluetooth can now support higher rates but is limited and ZigBee supports large networks, but at low data rates (but using extremely low power).
ZigBee actually makes a lot of sense since it's self configuring and allows devices to go to sleep when not used.
The new standard seems to combine the best of all the technologies, which should allow in-home personal networking to be easy to use.
Nokia have set-up a Wibree with more information.
Book this act
Navaku are a "circus" type act who work with ropes and bars.
Sophie Richards is diminutive in size, but don't pick a fight, she has more muscles than you.
Sophie Richards is diminutive in size, but don't pick a fight, she has more muscles than you.
Venice Project the next Skype
The founders of Kazaa and Skype have now annouced the Venice Project (named after a film of the same name). This will utilise a secure P2P network to distribute film type content. All content is copy protected. Users will need to download a client that makes the content available in a secure manner, and content suppliers will be provided with tools to upload content.
All content will allow for de-authorisation which means it becomes unavailable for viewing.
As the content is uploaded it is "atomised" like in the BitTorrent protocol and then split across multiple P2P sites.
The client then accesses the small chunks and downloads them, however to the user it appears as if the content is streamed.
They seem to have made agreements with various Hollywood studios and it may actually come to something.
Opinion seems to be that it may conflict with their work at Ebay (who purchased Skype), but it seems a perfect application to marry with PayPal (also owned by Ebay) so users can pay for the content.
All content will allow for de-authorisation which means it becomes unavailable for viewing.
As the content is uploaded it is "atomised" like in the BitTorrent protocol and then split across multiple P2P sites.
The client then accesses the small chunks and downloads them, however to the user it appears as if the content is streamed.
They seem to have made agreements with various Hollywood studios and it may actually come to something.
Opinion seems to be that it may conflict with their work at Ebay (who purchased Skype), but it seems a perfect application to marry with PayPal (also owned by Ebay) so users can pay for the content.
Low power FM transmitters legal (soon)
Ofcom is proposing to legalise the use of low power FM transmitters (i.e. the type used to link portable music devices such as MP3 players to in-car stereos). The full document is available from the Ofcom site.
It also covers: -
* Citizens’ Band (CB) radio. There are about 20,000 licensed users, this band will become license excempt.
* “micro” FM transmitters. Ofcom will allow these (the EU has already recommended legalising such devices, so it really fits in with EU policy).
The following will allow a range of new technologies and novel applications of radio and users wont need a license: -
* Inmarsat BGAN and High Density Fixed Satellite Service (HDFSS) satellite terminals.
* narrow band use of 24 GHz for short-range radar (including automotive applications).
* Radar Level Gauges.
* digital PMR 446 (“walkie talkies”).
Ofcom received 69 responses to the consultation and most were positive, especially for the microPower FM devices.
Ofcom actually seem to be taking public demand into consideration, especially since devices like microPower FM transmitters are available for sale, and though illegal many people are using them anyway.
It also covers: -
* Citizens’ Band (CB) radio. There are about 20,000 licensed users, this band will become license excempt.
* “micro” FM transmitters. Ofcom will allow these (the EU has already recommended legalising such devices, so it really fits in with EU policy).
The following will allow a range of new technologies and novel applications of radio and users wont need a license: -
* Inmarsat BGAN and High Density Fixed Satellite Service (HDFSS) satellite terminals.
* narrow band use of 24 GHz for short-range radar (including automotive applications).
* Radar Level Gauges.
* digital PMR 446 (“walkie talkies”).
Ofcom received 69 responses to the consultation and most were positive, especially for the microPower FM devices.
Ofcom actually seem to be taking public demand into consideration, especially since devices like microPower FM transmitters are available for sale, and though illegal many people are using them anyway.
3 Ekim 2006 Salı
Nintendo up profits by 20%
Nintendo have increased their expected profit figures by 20% on increased sales of the DS(lite) and games. They are also included forcasts for the Wii which will be in stores by Xmas.
The Wii, though lower spec than either the Xbox360 or PS3, is cheap and there will be a lot of content/games for it. As Sony have revised their figures and expected production numbers, many consumers may jump on to the Wii instead.
The Wii, though lower spec than either the Xbox360 or PS3, is cheap and there will be a lot of content/games for it. As Sony have revised their figures and expected production numbers, many consumers may jump on to the Wii instead.
Ofcom figures show's BT dominance falling (but not by a huge ammount)
Ofcom's figures show that the number of lines, call minutes etc handled by BT compared to the rest of the industry are falling.
Where BT had (on average) about 71% of all calls, that's now dropped to 68%. So a 3 to 4% drop in most areas (2004/2005/Q1 2006).
This is likely to increase with wholesale line rental and local loop unbundlers making a bigger impact, but it shows BT is still dominant in the retail space.
Where BT had (on average) about 71% of all calls, that's now dropped to 68%. So a 3 to 4% drop in most areas (2004/2005/Q1 2006).
This is likely to increase with wholesale line rental and local loop unbundlers making a bigger impact, but it shows BT is still dominant in the retail space.
2 Ekim 2006 Pazartesi
Unique from Orange to rival Fusion from BT
It's not quite Unique as Orange are copying BT, but their service will work on WiFi not Bluetooth (like BT's corporate Fusion service).
Orange's service will use dual-mode WiFi/GSM handsets and work over an Orange broadband connection, but it should work over existing ADSL connections.
Up to 6 handsets may be registered with the service and pricing will start at £50 pm.
Services like this reduce the reliance on a land line number, however ADSL is provisioned over a BT line, so they don't get rid of them. If Orange announce sensible pricing so calls cost significantly less than mobile when on the WiFi network there could be a large take-up.
See Orange's site.
Orange's service will use dual-mode WiFi/GSM handsets and work over an Orange broadband connection, but it should work over existing ADSL connections.
Up to 6 handsets may be registered with the service and pricing will start at £50 pm.
Services like this reduce the reliance on a land line number, however ADSL is provisioned over a BT line, so they don't get rid of them. If Orange announce sensible pricing so calls cost significantly less than mobile when on the WiFi network there could be a large take-up.
See Orange's site.
Vonage on the go
Vonage will be offering UK customers a USB dongle which has the Vonage software (soft-phone) pre-installed. When first used it asks the user to select a (telephone)number which will be associated with the soft-phone. The dongle has a socket for the provided microphone and headset.
Currently it only works on Windows and will cost around £20.
Currently it only works on Windows and will cost around £20.
Toshibe announced slimline laptop HD DVD writer
Toshiba's SD-L902A will fit in a laptop and writes HD DVD. DVD and CD formats.
Samples will ship to manufacturers by the end of this year and real product can be expected early next year.
No pricing has been announced.
Each layer on a HD DVD disk can hold 15GB compared to Blu-Ray's 25GB, but having product may advance one standard over the other.
Samples will ship to manufacturers by the end of this year and real product can be expected early next year.
No pricing has been announced.
Each layer on a HD DVD disk can hold 15GB compared to Blu-Ray's 25GB, but having product may advance one standard over the other.
MacOS 10.4.8 released
Apple have released updates for both the client and server of MacOS X so it's now at 10.4.8. Nothing really major, just bug fixes and a couple of enhancements.
Apple have also released Aperture 1.5 which integrates better with iLife and iWork '06 as well as improved filters and other enhancements.
Aperture is a significant program for photographers who want to have a sensible workflow and process. It's only real competition is Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom which is still in beta.
Apple have also released Aperture 1.5 which integrates better with iLife and iWork '06 as well as improved filters and other enhancements.
Aperture is a significant program for photographers who want to have a sensible workflow and process. It's only real competition is Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom which is still in beta.
Telewest TVDrive dies
On Sunday my Telewest TVDrive stopped working with HD. Phone up Telewest and after 30 minutes someone eventually answered (well it answered instantly, but 30 minutes of hold music on an 0845 number).
The person at the other end went through the process of getting me to reboot the box, while setting various output settings (trying to get HDMI working). None to any avail. Luckily SCART output still worked, so the service was not completely unavailable. This took around 45 minutes (the TVDrive box isn't very fast going through its boot sequence).
An engineer isn't available until Thursday, so we'll see what happens then (probably a new box).
The person at the other end went through the process of getting me to reboot the box, while setting various output settings (trying to get HDMI working). None to any avail. Luckily SCART output still worked, so the service was not completely unavailable. This took around 45 minutes (the TVDrive box isn't very fast going through its boot sequence).
An engineer isn't available until Thursday, so we'll see what happens then (probably a new box).