Motorola, NEC, Panasonic Mobile Communications and Samsung, and carriers NTT DoCoMo and Vodafone have got together to form the LiMo Foundatation to encourage Linux as operating system (with applications) for mobile devices.
Membership starts at $40,000 and goes up to $800,000 for big companies and allows access to code and contributions to it.
There's already several Linux variants out there and hopefully this will standardise things, though they might be fighting a losing battle now Symbian have added some POSIX capabilities to their OS.
It might do some hard to Microsoft who are winning inroads in to the mobile market with Windows Mobile.
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31 Ocak 2007 Çarşamba
ISO PDF anyone
Adobe is trying to get the PDF specification ratified as an ISO spec.
Initially the v1.7 specification is being submitted to Association for Information and Image Management with the hope they'll submit it to ISO to become an international standard.
Is it just a way to fend off Microsoft who are pushing their XML format for Office 2007?
Initially the v1.7 specification is being submitted to Association for Information and Image Management with the hope they'll submit it to ISO to become an international standard.
Is it just a way to fend off Microsoft who are pushing their XML format for Office 2007?
Photoshop Lightroom to ship this month
Adobe's Photoshop Lightroom (as was just Lightroom) is going to ship later this month. Available on both Macs and PCs (universal binary for Macs).
Adobe have made a big effort with a large public beta test as they're obviously going for the Apple Apperture market and the feedback does seem positive.
No pricing has been set yet.
Adobe have made a big effort with a large public beta test as they're obviously going for the Apple Apperture market and the feedback does seem positive.
No pricing has been set yet.
New Apple ads
Apple's starting splashing ads all over the space (MySpace in particular) starring comedians David Mitchell and Robert Webb.
One plays Windows/PC and the other MacOS/Mac. They're pretty funny - in the vein of the Wii vs PS3 ads put out by Nintendo and putting Macs in a good light.
They're up on YouTube too.
One plays Windows/PC and the other MacOS/Mac. They're pretty funny - in the vein of the Wii vs PS3 ads put out by Nintendo and putting Macs in a good light.
They're up on YouTube too.
i-Mate JASJAR / O2 Exec
I've been having horrid problems with an O2 Exec (kept running out of memory).
The O2 MyXDA site doesn't seem to want to recognise the Exec exists anymore. Luckily I "found" a later version of the ROM for the JASJAR and with some other software that hacked it to make it non country specific, it installed nicely.
Seems to run much better, also installed Windows Live Messenger.
There's a copy of Windows CE 6 (crossbow) flying around which is meant to add further improvements, though MS haven't officially released it.
Anyway it seems much happier now.
Though I'm seriously tempted to go use a Mac rather than PC. There's even sync software for it and with Plaxo having a Mac client (only for contacts at the moment) it's almost possible to move completely away from Outlook.
The O2 MyXDA site doesn't seem to want to recognise the Exec exists anymore. Luckily I "found" a later version of the ROM for the JASJAR and with some other software that hacked it to make it non country specific, it installed nicely.
Seems to run much better, also installed Windows Live Messenger.
There's a copy of Windows CE 6 (crossbow) flying around which is meant to add further improvements, though MS haven't officially released it.
Anyway it seems much happier now.
Though I'm seriously tempted to go use a Mac rather than PC. There's even sync software for it and with Plaxo having a Mac client (only for contacts at the moment) it's almost possible to move completely away from Outlook.
Slimdevices Transporter installed
It's a very nice system. Currently just switched the Transporter for the Squeezebox (using another box to do the digital to analog). So far it doesn't sound any better, but then it's decompressing a digital signal and sending it out digitally, so it shouldn't really.
Next is removing the other DAC and using the Transporter for everything and then plug the CD into it and see if that makes a difference.
Next is removing the other DAC and using the Transporter for everything and then plug the CD into it and see if that makes a difference.
24 Ocak 2007 Çarşamba
Low power GSM goes live
Mapesbury Communications also known as MCOM today made their first GSM call. Last year they won a GSM Guard Band license (1 of 12 licensees).
The set-up used a pico-cell BTS (basestations) connected to a soft-BSC (basestation controller) which in turn was connected to a soft-MSC (mobile system controller) and then used SIP to their VOIP servers which connected to the telephony network.
It all seemed to work rather well.
The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) do not seem to be keen to allow them to interconnect with them, one even refusing to switch their Ofcom allocated number ranges as they're "not a real mobile network". Ofcom may not be too happy about it. In the meantime though they can offer private GSM services, just without roaming to the existing MNOs.
It seems plans will be to allow "free" calls to other MCOM users and any SIP users. Since connection to the PSTN isn't free, any PSTN calls will be charged for. This will also be true for calls to MCOM mobiles.
MCOM may set-up GSM "bubbles" or clouds, like current WiFi zones.
Low power GSM licensees could change the way people think about mobile pricing which is probably why the current MNO's are worried.
The set-up used a pico-cell BTS (basestations) connected to a soft-BSC (basestation controller) which in turn was connected to a soft-MSC (mobile system controller) and then used SIP to their VOIP servers which connected to the telephony network.
It all seemed to work rather well.
The Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) do not seem to be keen to allow them to interconnect with them, one even refusing to switch their Ofcom allocated number ranges as they're "not a real mobile network". Ofcom may not be too happy about it. In the meantime though they can offer private GSM services, just without roaming to the existing MNOs.
It seems plans will be to allow "free" calls to other MCOM users and any SIP users. Since connection to the PSTN isn't free, any PSTN calls will be charged for. This will also be true for calls to MCOM mobiles.
MCOM may set-up GSM "bubbles" or clouds, like current WiFi zones.
Low power GSM licensees could change the way people think about mobile pricing which is probably why the current MNO's are worried.
Symbian OS - the mobile operating system
Symbian OS - the mobile operating system
Symbian have announced P.I.P.S (P.I.P.S. is POSIX on Symbian) which is a set of POSIX libraries for the Symbian OS. It should be available with v9.1.
The POSIX standard is a set of APIs and library that came out of UNIX and though Symbian haven't ported everything, they say it's enough to port standard desktop applications.
This could boost the number of applications available as Linux is POSIX compliant so developers should be able to port some of the millions of programs available in a relatively easy manner.
Symbian have announced P.I.P.S (P.I.P.S. is POSIX on Symbian) which is a set of POSIX libraries for the Symbian OS. It should be available with v9.1.
The POSIX standard is a set of APIs and library that came out of UNIX and though Symbian haven't ported everything, they say it's enough to port standard desktop applications.
This could boost the number of applications available as Linux is POSIX compliant so developers should be able to port some of the millions of programs available in a relatively easy manner.
Welcome to CSR plc
Welcome to CSR plc
Cambridge Silicon Radio have acuqired NordNav Technologies AB and the assets of Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd. This will allow them to add GPS hardware and/or software to their Bluecore range of Bluetooth chips. They say it will mean an increase in cost of less than $1 for the chips.
Since NordNav have a software GPS system, the software can be incorporated into the Bluecore code allowing for cheaper designs, while the CPS technology will allow increased GPS accuracy in built-up areas etc, but requires hardware.
CSR make half of all Bluetooth units for phones and this should allow more phones (which is trend anyway) to offer GPS capabilities.
Cambridge Silicon Radio have acuqired NordNav Technologies AB and the assets of Cambridge Positioning Systems Ltd. This will allow them to add GPS hardware and/or software to their Bluecore range of Bluetooth chips. They say it will mean an increase in cost of less than $1 for the chips.
Since NordNav have a software GPS system, the software can be incorporated into the Bluecore code allowing for cheaper designs, while the CPS technology will allow increased GPS accuracy in built-up areas etc, but requires hardware.
CSR make half of all Bluetooth units for phones and this should allow more phones (which is trend anyway) to offer GPS capabilities.
Telecommunications Market Data Tables Q2 2006 | Ofcom
Telecommunications Market Data Tables Q2 2006 | Ofcom
BT are losing out heavily to the competition in many areas. In terms of access they used to control 80.6% in 2004 of the market but in Q2 '06 that fell to 73.7%.
BT's percentage of exchange lines also fell from 78.4% to 72.3%, call volumes (by minutes) from 65.9% to 54.1%.
In purely the residential market drops were even higher with falls in access from 78.8% to 72.0% and calls dropping from 66.7% to 57.8%. Exchange line connections went from 80.3% to 73.5% and call volumes dropped from 74.0% 60.2%.
In the business markets BT did rather better with access dropping from 83.3% to 76.4% while calls volumes actually went up from 49.0% to 49.7%.
In terms on broadband connections BT's only lost .1% (from 23.6% to 23.5%), though LLU made a huge change (from 36,000 unbundled lines to 847,000) cable went up by 1m but BT's numbers went up from 6m to 12.2m connections.
So it seems in the business markets BT is holding on to it's customers, but losing out in the residential sector.
In terms of mobile customers it's O2 (16,814), then T-Mobile (16,730), Orange (14,951) and Vodafone (13,873). In terms of revenue per customer it's Vodafone (64.7), O2 (54.0), Orange (48.9) and T-Mobile (39.9).
Volumes of SMS and MMS are grouped together (the networks don't want MMS figures published seperately as they're so poor) and O2 are way ahead of the pack on this - though that's probably as they do a lot of fixed to mobile SMS services to the other networks (what was O2 Online or Genie). Volumes/Revenues were Vodafone (2,033/£144m), O2 (4,378/£240m), T-Mobile (1,293/£94m) and Orange (2,040/£110m).
Figures for 3 aren't in the report.
BT are losing out heavily to the competition in many areas. In terms of access they used to control 80.6% in 2004 of the market but in Q2 '06 that fell to 73.7%.
BT's percentage of exchange lines also fell from 78.4% to 72.3%, call volumes (by minutes) from 65.9% to 54.1%.
In purely the residential market drops were even higher with falls in access from 78.8% to 72.0% and calls dropping from 66.7% to 57.8%. Exchange line connections went from 80.3% to 73.5% and call volumes dropped from 74.0% 60.2%.
In the business markets BT did rather better with access dropping from 83.3% to 76.4% while calls volumes actually went up from 49.0% to 49.7%.
In terms on broadband connections BT's only lost .1% (from 23.6% to 23.5%), though LLU made a huge change (from 36,000 unbundled lines to 847,000) cable went up by 1m but BT's numbers went up from 6m to 12.2m connections.
So it seems in the business markets BT is holding on to it's customers, but losing out in the residential sector.
In terms of mobile customers it's O2 (16,814), then T-Mobile (16,730), Orange (14,951) and Vodafone (13,873). In terms of revenue per customer it's Vodafone (64.7), O2 (54.0), Orange (48.9) and T-Mobile (39.9).
Volumes of SMS and MMS are grouped together (the networks don't want MMS figures published seperately as they're so poor) and O2 are way ahead of the pack on this - though that's probably as they do a lot of fixed to mobile SMS services to the other networks (what was O2 Online or Genie). Volumes/Revenues were Vodafone (2,033/£144m), O2 (4,378/£240m), T-Mobile (1,293/£94m) and Orange (2,040/£110m).
Figures for 3 aren't in the report.
23 Ocak 2007 Salı
BT kill broadband, then phone
Last week my ADSL died for no apparent reason. I use a non-BT ISP so had to go through them to get it fixed.
Eventually BT agreed to investigate and an engineer was booked for Saturday. At 11.20 I got a call that they were on the way to the premises and would be there in 20 minutes. By the time I got back they'd left a message to say the problem was fixed. Unfortunately it wasn't and now as well as the ADSL not working, they'd killed the phone line too.
Of course I couldn't report the ADSL to BT as I had to go through my ISP, so I did and the line now clearly showed a fault.
However as the voice line was also dead I could use BT's automated system and it did indeed notice an exchange fault.
I went out and returned about 4pm and there was an engineer checking the junction box. He was just about to go (not his fault). He then fitted a tone generator to the master socket and went off to trace the line. On his return hw said "the last engineer cut the lines in the street cabinet", how that meant they've fixed the line I've no idea.
Anyway the 2nd engineer put it all back and everything sprung back to life.
Being without ADSL for a week was painfull.
Eventually BT agreed to investigate and an engineer was booked for Saturday. At 11.20 I got a call that they were on the way to the premises and would be there in 20 minutes. By the time I got back they'd left a message to say the problem was fixed. Unfortunately it wasn't and now as well as the ADSL not working, they'd killed the phone line too.
Of course I couldn't report the ADSL to BT as I had to go through my ISP, so I did and the line now clearly showed a fault.
However as the voice line was also dead I could use BT's automated system and it did indeed notice an exchange fault.
I went out and returned about 4pm and there was an engineer checking the junction box. He was just about to go (not his fault). He then fitted a tone generator to the master socket and went off to trace the line. On his return hw said "the last engineer cut the lines in the street cabinet", how that meant they've fixed the line I've no idea.
Anyway the 2nd engineer put it all back and everything sprung back to life.
Being without ADSL for a week was painfull.
22 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
Apple users to pay $1.99 for 802.11n
Digit Online
Apple has stated it will charge users $1.99 to enable the 802.11n WiFi in Intel based Macs. Users have already discovered that new Macs had 802.11n chipsets, but they were being used in g mode.
With the release of Apple's new 802.11n basestation (or Access Point) Macs can take advantage of higher speeds etc but the software needs to be installed to enable it. Apple say they need to make the charge in-line with accounting regulations.
New Macs will have 802.11n enabled by default.
Apple has stated it will charge users $1.99 to enable the 802.11n WiFi in Intel based Macs. Users have already discovered that new Macs had 802.11n chipsets, but they were being used in g mode.
With the release of Apple's new 802.11n basestation (or Access Point) Macs can take advantage of higher speeds etc but the software needs to be installed to enable it. Apple say they need to make the charge in-line with accounting regulations.
New Macs will have 802.11n enabled by default.
15 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
Slimdevices Transporter
It's still in the box, but working out how to plug-in and make best use of it. Though of course it's a music streamer (supports lots of formats with the latest Slimserver) it also has digital inputs so can take a CD and other devices.
More info as it comes.
More info as it comes.
Sandisk V-Mate
The Sandisk V-Mate arrived today, it's a little unit with external plug-PSU that connects to a video source and TV.
It only supports composite video, so quality will never be amazing, but as it's designed to work with portable players (like Sandisk's Sansa range or Sony's PSP) that should be too important.
It records to multiple memory card formats (Memory Stick Duo, SD Card, MicroSD etc) in various video codecs and formats: -
Codecs: MPEG-4 Simple Profile, H.263
Formats: MP4, 3GP, 3G2
Resolution: Up to 640x480 pixels
Frame Rate: Up to 30fps
TV Formats: NTSC & PAL
Depending on the which format and resolution is chosen it can store up to 3.5hours of video per GB.
It also has an IR emitter which can be used to change channel on a set-top-box or other video source.
It's a quirky thing but with the flood of video compatible portable players it could have a relatively big market - allowing users to watch programs they've missed on their daily commute.
US pricing is $129, so about £100 over in the UK.
It only supports composite video, so quality will never be amazing, but as it's designed to work with portable players (like Sandisk's Sansa range or Sony's PSP) that should be too important.
It records to multiple memory card formats (Memory Stick Duo, SD Card, MicroSD etc) in various video codecs and formats: -
Codecs: MPEG-4 Simple Profile, H.263
Formats: MP4, 3GP, 3G2
Resolution: Up to 640x480 pixels
Frame Rate: Up to 30fps
TV Formats: NTSC & PAL
Depending on the which format and resolution is chosen it can store up to 3.5hours of video per GB.
It also has an IR emitter which can be used to change channel on a set-top-box or other video source.
It's a quirky thing but with the flood of video compatible portable players it could have a relatively big market - allowing users to watch programs they've missed on their daily commute.
US pricing is $129, so about £100 over in the UK.
12 Ocak 2007 Cuma
Craigsnumber:: Auto expiring. FREE anonymous phone numbers for online safety.
Craigsnumber:: Auto expiring. FREE anonymous phone numbers for online safety.
Information about the site is almost non-available, the owner is not saying anything until their lawyer has given them the ok.
It allows a temporary number allocation that will re-direct to another number. You can then publish the Craigsnumber on listing sites (like Craigslist). After a time the number will expire.
Craigslist offer this now but for Email addresses, this adds the ability to publish an anonymous phone number too.
Numbers can be selected to expire after 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month. You can pick an area code in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Pheonix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
You then get a number and extension which you can publish and will be redirected to your number (which you also enter).
Craigslist and Craigsnumber are unrelated.
Information about the site is almost non-available, the owner is not saying anything until their lawyer has given them the ok.
It allows a temporary number allocation that will re-direct to another number. You can then publish the Craigsnumber on listing sites (like Craigslist). After a time the number will expire.
Craigslist offer this now but for Email addresses, this adds the ability to publish an anonymous phone number too.
Numbers can be selected to expire after 1 hour, 1 day, 1 week and 1 month. You can pick an area code in Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Dallas, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Miami, New Jersey, New York, Pheonix, Salt Lake City, San Diego, San Francisco and Washington D.C.
You then get a number and extension which you can publish and will be redirected to your number (which you also enter).
Craigslist and Craigsnumber are unrelated.
11 Ocak 2007 Perşembe
Belkin PureAV HDMI Interface 3-to-1 Video Switch | Reg Hardware
Belkin PureAV HDMI Interface 3-to-1 Video Switch | Reg Hardware
My review on El Reg. Nice little unit, recommended.
My review on El Reg. Nice little unit, recommended.
9 Ocak 2007 Salı
Apple - QuickTime - Macworld 2007 Keynote
Apple - QuickTime - Macworld 2007 Keynote
Well it would be nice to watch it, but "Due to exceptional demand" it's currently unavailable, all those journos trying to get a scoop on the iPhone, maybe a few potential customers too.
It seems Apple's share price has jumped 3% on the announcement.
Well it would be nice to watch it, but "Due to exceptional demand" it's currently unavailable, all those journos trying to get a scoop on the iPhone, maybe a few potential customers too.
It seems Apple's share price has jumped 3% on the announcement.
Apple - iPhone
Apple - iPhone
Apple have at least announced the iPhone, though it's not available as such - it's not even FCC certified, but that's probably deliberate as most preliminary phone data comes from people monitoring FCC certification submission documents.
Not available until Q4 in the UK.
It runs MacOS X, how close that is to MacOS X on the desktop is debatable, though there's no reason it cant run the Mach kernel and BSD OS on top. Swap the Aqua interface for a phone version.
It comes with Email, Browsing, Phone and iPod apps, then there's what look like Dashboard widgets for everything else (or maybe Leopard's equivalent). There's also Google maps pre-installed.
Quad band GSM/GPRS with EDGE support on Sprint. 4G and 8GB versions for $499 and $599 respectiviely.
3.5" widescreen which is touch sensitive, 320 x 480 resolution. Also accelerometers to sense which way around it is to align the screen in the right direction. It's also position sensitive so the screen and display are turned off when it's near your ear (i.e. when using as a normal phone).
It looks extremely stylish and it's bound to be the phone of 2007.
Apple have at least announced the iPhone, though it's not available as such - it's not even FCC certified, but that's probably deliberate as most preliminary phone data comes from people monitoring FCC certification submission documents.
Not available until Q4 in the UK.
It runs MacOS X, how close that is to MacOS X on the desktop is debatable, though there's no reason it cant run the Mach kernel and BSD OS on top. Swap the Aqua interface for a phone version.
It comes with Email, Browsing, Phone and iPod apps, then there's what look like Dashboard widgets for everything else (or maybe Leopard's equivalent). There's also Google maps pre-installed.
Quad band GSM/GPRS with EDGE support on Sprint. 4G and 8GB versions for $499 and $599 respectiviely.
3.5" widescreen which is touch sensitive, 320 x 480 resolution. Also accelerometers to sense which way around it is to align the screen in the right direction. It's also position sensitive so the screen and display are turned off when it's near your ear (i.e. when using as a normal phone).
It looks extremely stylish and it's bound to be the phone of 2007.
8 Ocak 2007 Pazartesi
oqo
oqo have release the OQO model O2. It now has a VIA processor up to 1.5GHz, upto 1GB RAM and a 60GB disk.
The model O1 was a nice unit, but under powered, with only 512MB of RAM and a 30GB disk and a 1GHz Transmeta CPU.
It comes with Windows XP or Tablet edition 2005 and an option of Office 2007 Business Edition. It has WiFi (802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0 and US customers have an option of a built-in EV-DO module with a Sprint contract. Customers who purchase now get a free upgrade to Vista later this year, though not all of Vista's premium features are supported (like Aero).
Maybe this unit will actually be useful.
The model O1 was a nice unit, but under powered, with only 512MB of RAM and a 30GB disk and a 1GHz Transmeta CPU.
It comes with Windows XP or Tablet edition 2005 and an option of Office 2007 Business Edition. It has WiFi (802.11a/b/g) and Bluetooth 2.0 and US customers have an option of a built-in EV-DO module with a Sprint contract. Customers who purchase now get a free upgrade to Vista later this year, though not all of Vista's premium features are supported (like Aero).
Maybe this unit will actually be useful.
4 Ocak 2007 Perşembe
BT doesn't want broadband universal service obligations
BT is making noises about Universal Service Obligations for broadband, it's saying their not needed as broadband is available to most of the population.
It may be a case of smoke and mirrors as when they actually launch their 21CN it's all IP based, meaning IP to the home - which requires broadband (or some kind of IP connectivity). They'll need a wireless solution if they have to provide IP everywhere in the UK (rural areas wont work with DSL - well they will but slowly and Ofcom are likely to define reasonably high speed).
BT actually want to be able to provide high speed access as then they can provide VoIP and Video services (BT Vision) and to guarantee any kind of Quality of Service (QoS) BT want others to use their systems to deliver the content and so pay for the delivery channel (like Sky in the satellite world).
It's likely they want to provide it to customers who are profitable, rather than being forced to provide it to all and sundry even if they never spend a penny on the value add services BT will be pushing.
It may be a case of smoke and mirrors as when they actually launch their 21CN it's all IP based, meaning IP to the home - which requires broadband (or some kind of IP connectivity). They'll need a wireless solution if they have to provide IP everywhere in the UK (rural areas wont work with DSL - well they will but slowly and Ofcom are likely to define reasonably high speed).
BT actually want to be able to provide high speed access as then they can provide VoIP and Video services (BT Vision) and to guarantee any kind of Quality of Service (QoS) BT want others to use their systems to deliver the content and so pay for the delivery channel (like Sky in the satellite world).
It's likely they want to provide it to customers who are profitable, rather than being forced to provide it to all and sundry even if they never spend a penny on the value add services BT will be pushing.
Apple predictions for MacWorld 2007
Apple are very secret about future products, however some things are known.
* There's the iTV (codeword, not product name) system - which looks like an embedded iTunes player with various media interfaces.
* There's going to be some kind of phone/music player. I'd guess it'll be announced at MacWorld.
* Leopard, though not likely to be available until later in the year.
Then there's guessing.
* MacPro with Intel Quad cores making them extremely fast machines (as if they weren't already), also for the Xserve.
* Maybe (really hopefully) a 12 or 13" MacBook Pro. The only thing that lets down a MacBook is the graphics. It would be really useful to have a 12" MacBook for portability, but with the graphics power of the Pros.
* Video iPod with a touch screen, again maybe later in the year.
Only time will tell.
* There's the iTV (codeword, not product name) system - which looks like an embedded iTunes player with various media interfaces.
* There's going to be some kind of phone/music player. I'd guess it'll be announced at MacWorld.
* Leopard, though not likely to be available until later in the year.
Then there's guessing.
* MacPro with Intel Quad cores making them extremely fast machines (as if they weren't already), also for the Xserve.
* Maybe (really hopefully) a 12 or 13" MacBook Pro. The only thing that lets down a MacBook is the graphics. It would be really useful to have a 12" MacBook for portability, but with the graphics power of the Pros.
* Video iPod with a touch screen, again maybe later in the year.
Only time will tell.
Plastic Logic to build plastic displays
Digit Online
Platic Logic a company based in Cambridge is opening a factory in Dresden to produce flxible displays. These are similar to current TFT displays where the electronics (silicon)are deposited on to glass, but use semiconductor polymers in layers deposited on to flexible plastic sheets.
Current resolution is 150 dots per inch with 16 shades of grey (a 800 x 600 prototype was demonstrated in October of 2006) which will be produced in 2008 when the factory is in production, however colour displays will follow by 2010 with video capability in 2012.
They have raised $100m in financing.
This may well pave the way to truely portable ebooks and other displays and open up the market for portable display systems that have so far been limited to PDAs etc.
Platic Logic a company based in Cambridge is opening a factory in Dresden to produce flxible displays. These are similar to current TFT displays where the electronics (silicon)are deposited on to glass, but use semiconductor polymers in layers deposited on to flexible plastic sheets.
Current resolution is 150 dots per inch with 16 shades of grey (a 800 x 600 prototype was demonstrated in October of 2006) which will be produced in 2008 when the factory is in production, however colour displays will follow by 2010 with video capability in 2012.
They have raised $100m in financing.
This may well pave the way to truely portable ebooks and other displays and open up the market for portable display systems that have so far been limited to PDAs etc.
LG to show dual HD DVD/Blu-ray player
Digit Online
LG will demonstrate a dual HD DVD/Blu-Ray player at CES. HD DVD has been adopted by the DVD Forum and most Blu-Ray backers are already members so adding HD DVD to their drives should be possible.
HD DVD stores about 15GB per disk, while Blu-Ray allows up to 25GB per layer (50GB per disk).
This may kick-start the HD revolution, though consoles may initially drive sales.
LG will demonstrate a dual HD DVD/Blu-Ray player at CES. HD DVD has been adopted by the DVD Forum and most Blu-Ray backers are already members so adding HD DVD to their drives should be possible.
HD DVD stores about 15GB per disk, while Blu-Ray allows up to 25GB per layer (50GB per disk).
This may kick-start the HD revolution, though consoles may initially drive sales.
2 Ocak 2007 Salı
Sony A100
The Sony DSLR-A100 is a 10.2MP camera. It's pretty fully featured and includes a very nice steady-shot system and a dust-removal system (that "shakes" or vibrates the sensor rapidly so dust particles fall off).
It fits well in the hand, with good access to the various control functions and a nice bright LCD (however it doesn't work for framing shots, you need to use the viewfinder for that). The only bad feature is that it feels very plasticy, the only bit of metal seems to be the front of the camera where the lens attaches.
The shutter delay is minimal (and really fast compared to compact digital cameras).
So far it seems a very good point and shoot that allows complete fexibility and lots of pro features if required.
It fits well in the hand, with good access to the various control functions and a nice bright LCD (however it doesn't work for framing shots, you need to use the viewfinder for that). The only bad feature is that it feels very plasticy, the only bit of metal seems to be the front of the camera where the lens attaches.
The shutter delay is minimal (and really fast compared to compact digital cameras).
So far it seems a very good point and shoot that allows complete fexibility and lots of pro features if required.
GMobileSync
GMobileSync
GMobileSync is a program to synchronise Windows Mobile 5 (Pocket PC and Smartphone) Calendar and Google Calendar using an Internet connection (which should work over WiFi, Wired or GPRS/3G).
Currently (v1.2) only supports a 1-way sync, but on Jan 8th v1.3 should be released which supports full 2-way synchronisation.
It's free and looks quite useful.
GMobileSync is a program to synchronise Windows Mobile 5 (Pocket PC and Smartphone) Calendar and Google Calendar using an Internet connection (which should work over WiFi, Wired or GPRS/3G).
Currently (v1.2) only supports a 1-way sync, but on Jan 8th v1.3 should be released which supports full 2-way synchronisation.
It's free and looks quite useful.
TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Here Comes Adobe Apollo
TalkCrunch » Blog Archive » Here Comes Adobe Apollo
Sounds like a cool idea. Adobe already have the Flash base and can now expand on this to support other technologies like HTML, JavaScript and Ajax allowing a non-platform specific runtime that is platform independent.
If it takes off, buy Adobe shares as they'll be the default development platform of choice as they are now with Flash.
Sounds like a cool idea. Adobe already have the Flash base and can now expand on this to support other technologies like HTML, JavaScript and Ajax allowing a non-platform specific runtime that is platform independent.
If it takes off, buy Adobe shares as they'll be the default development platform of choice as they are now with Flash.
dodgeball.com :: mobile social software
dodgeball.com :: mobile social software
Only available in the US, if and when Google (who now own it) get their act together and make it worldwide then there's a good chance it will really take off.
Though possibly a huge market and room for other entrants in other countries if someone can get their act together quickly.
Only available in the US, if and when Google (who now own it) get their act together and make it worldwide then there's a good chance it will really take off.
Though possibly a huge market and room for other entrants in other countries if someone can get their act together quickly.