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27 Mayıs 2007 Pazar
Green Magazine Articles
Local:
Oakland Magazine - The Greening of Oakland
San Francisco Magazine, eco-fashion
New York Times Magazine, Power of Green for America to regain its global stature
Atlantic Monthly, Global Warming – who wins & who loses
Newsweek – Save the Planet or Else
Time – Global Warming Survival Guide
Vanity Fair’s 2nd Green Issue, Politics and Power
Sports and Outdoors:
Sports Illustrated, How global warming affects sports
Outside Magazine, Green giants, China, water crisis
Business:
Fortune, Going Green
Home and Personal:
Body & Soul, tips for a healthier home
Blueprint’s useful guide "100 reasons to get rid of it" & what to do with it when you do
Domino, Green List for Home Decorating
Glamour
Oakland Magazine - The Greening of Oakland
San Francisco Magazine, eco-fashion
New York Times Magazine, Power of Green for America to regain its global stature
Atlantic Monthly, Global Warming – who wins & who loses
Newsweek – Save the Planet or Else
Time – Global Warming Survival Guide
Vanity Fair’s 2nd Green Issue, Politics and Power
Sports and Outdoors:
Sports Illustrated, How global warming affects sports
Outside Magazine, Green giants, China, water crisis
Business:
Fortune, Going Green
Home and Personal:
Body & Soul, tips for a healthier home
Blueprint’s useful guide "100 reasons to get rid of it" & what to do with it when you do
Domino, Green List for Home Decorating
Glamour
23 Mayıs 2007 Çarşamba
22 Mayıs 2007 Salı
Rumours of UK Google MVNO
There are rumours that Google is setting up an MVNO (mobile virtual network operator) in the UK. Most MVNOs have been spectacular failures, apart from Virgin Mobile which as over 4m customers.
Google aren't going to have any physical presence and everything will be done on-line. They will sell Nokia phones with Google apps embedded.
Google has got the brand, but unless they can come out with some feature that stands out against all the other MNO offerings, they'll struggle. Some kind of unlimited data plan so users can make the most of Google's on-line apps might be the USP (unique selling point) that does it.
Google aren't going to have any physical presence and everything will be done on-line. They will sell Nokia phones with Google apps embedded.
Google has got the brand, but unless they can come out with some feature that stands out against all the other MNO offerings, they'll struggle. Some kind of unlimited data plan so users can make the most of Google's on-line apps might be the USP (unique selling point) that does it.
21 Mayıs 2007 Pazartesi
Sky and Tiscali in talks?
It's rumoured that Sky is persuing Tiscali and they are in talks.
Tiscali have "on the market" for a while and though they purchased Home Choice for their video delivery capability, competition in broadband is constantly increasing and margins are decreasing.
Sky have always wanted to deliver video over their infrastructure, so Sky buying Tiscali could be a good deal for them.
If the deal goes through it's likely Easynet will take-over Tiscali's infrastructure which may not be good news for Tiscali staff.
Unfortunately this trend is going to continue in the UK and there are only going to be a few big telco/broadband players left in the market.
Tiscali have "on the market" for a while and though they purchased Home Choice for their video delivery capability, competition in broadband is constantly increasing and margins are decreasing.
Sky have always wanted to deliver video over their infrastructure, so Sky buying Tiscali could be a good deal for them.
If the deal goes through it's likely Easynet will take-over Tiscali's infrastructure which may not be good news for Tiscali staff.
Unfortunately this trend is going to continue in the UK and there are only going to be a few big telco/broadband players left in the market.
18 Mayıs 2007 Cuma
Consumer protection test for telephone number allocation | Ofcom
Consumer protection test for telephone number allocation | Ofcom
Ofcom is consulting on ways to prevent numbers being allocated to businesses or individuals who have in the past abused their allocations in some way. This mainly concerns premium rate service (PRS) are personal numbers (070).
Ofcom wish to maintain a list and once on that list they cant have numbers allocated directly or indirectly.
The consultation closes on June 22nd 2007.
Ofcom is consulting on ways to prevent numbers being allocated to businesses or individuals who have in the past abused their allocations in some way. This mainly concerns premium rate service (PRS) are personal numbers (070).
Ofcom wish to maintain a list and once on that list they cant have numbers allocated directly or indirectly.
The consultation closes on June 22nd 2007.
17 Mayıs 2007 Perşembe
Update on the award of the spectrum band 2500-2690 MHz and associated spectrum bands | Ofcom
Update on the award of the spectrum band 2500-2690 MHz and associated spectrum bands | Ofcom
Ofcom received 35 responses to the consultation and therefore is conducting further analysis and consultation before taking further action.
This needs to take into account SE42 working group of the CEPT which wull be mandated by the European Commission on July 29th 2007.
There are also recommendations from COCOM.
RSC will take into account the CEPT and COCOM decisions and come out with policies in October and December.
Therefore the auctions wont take place before early 2008.
Ofcom received 35 responses to the consultation and therefore is conducting further analysis and consultation before taking further action.
This needs to take into account SE42 working group of the CEPT which wull be mandated by the European Commission on July 29th 2007.
There are also recommendations from COCOM.
RSC will take into account the CEPT and COCOM decisions and come out with policies in October and December.
Therefore the auctions wont take place before early 2008.
SonyEricsson contribute to Sony's revenues
SonyEricsson profits have increased by 47% will revenue has increased by over 100%. This is due to their Walkman and Cybershot range of phones.
Sony must welcome the added revenues.
Sony must welcome the added revenues.
UK beats US in mobile internet use
It seems that the UK is beating the US for mobile access in terms of percentages of internet users.
In the UK 5.7 out of 30 million internet users access via some kind of mobile device. In the US it's only 30 out of 176 million.
The BBC seems to be the most accessed site.
In the UK 5.7 out of 30 million internet users access via some kind of mobile device. In the US it's only 30 out of 176 million.
The BBC seems to be the most accessed site.
15 Mayıs 2007 Salı
PRESS RELEASE: Motorola's new Qs - FierceWireless
PRESS RELEASE: Motorola's new Qs - FierceWireless
Motorola have announced the Moto Q 9 the latest generation of its smartphone. Supporting 3G and HSDPA at 3.6Mb/s.
They have also announced an new RAZR2 which is thinner than the original RAZR and uses new materials so it's a much stronger phone.
Motorola have announced the Moto Q 9 the latest generation of its smartphone. Supporting 3G and HSDPA at 3.6Mb/s.
They have also announced an new RAZR2 which is thinner than the original RAZR and uses new materials so it's a much stronger phone.
11 Mayıs 2007 Cuma
Ofcom awards Northern Ireland spectrum licence to Personal Broadband UK Limited | Ofcom
Ofcom awards Northern Ireland spectrum licence to Personal Broadband UK Limited | Ofcom
Ofcom announced that Personal Broadband UK Limited has been awarded a Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence to use the 1785 MHz - 1805 MHz radio spectrum bands in Northern Ireland. This 20MHz block of spectrum is being released in a technology neutral and service basis.
The licence was auctioned through a sealed bid process on Wednesday 9 May. Personal Broadband UK Limited paid £352,000 for the licence, which was the amount bid by the unsuccessful bidder, Barablu Mobile Holding Limited. Personal Broadband UK Limited bid the higher amount of £501,001, securing the licence at the lower price according to the ‘second price rule’ of the auction.
On 27 April 2007 Personal Broadband UK Limited won the license for Ireland, so now they have both licenses (i.e. Ireland and Northern Ireland). This offers the opportunity for the development of services across the island of Ireland.
Ofcom’s research into the bands has identified a number of potential uses including:
* wireless broadband access
* mobile broadcast, such as wireless cameras for outside broadcasts
* video or closed-circuit television links
* extra capacity for the delivery of mobile services
This auction is part of a programme to release around 400 MHz of prime spectrum over the next few years, creating major opportunities for innovation in wireless services.
Ofcom announced that Personal Broadband UK Limited has been awarded a Wireless Telegraphy Act Licence to use the 1785 MHz - 1805 MHz radio spectrum bands in Northern Ireland. This 20MHz block of spectrum is being released in a technology neutral and service basis.
The licence was auctioned through a sealed bid process on Wednesday 9 May. Personal Broadband UK Limited paid £352,000 for the licence, which was the amount bid by the unsuccessful bidder, Barablu Mobile Holding Limited. Personal Broadband UK Limited bid the higher amount of £501,001, securing the licence at the lower price according to the ‘second price rule’ of the auction.
On 27 April 2007 Personal Broadband UK Limited won the license for Ireland, so now they have both licenses (i.e. Ireland and Northern Ireland). This offers the opportunity for the development of services across the island of Ireland.
Ofcom’s research into the bands has identified a number of potential uses including:
* wireless broadband access
* mobile broadcast, such as wireless cameras for outside broadcasts
* video or closed-circuit television links
* extra capacity for the delivery of mobile services
This auction is part of a programme to release around 400 MHz of prime spectrum over the next few years, creating major opportunities for innovation in wireless services.
9 Mayıs 2007 Çarşamba
BT charge ISPs for terminating users
Normally when a user gets ADSL, there are charges to set-up the line. That could be through BT Wholesale or via an LLU (local loop unbundling) operator. Those charges may be hidden by the ISP/etc or built in to the set-up charge.
If a user then migrates to another operator, that's fine too.
However if a user happens to cancel their PSTN service, say they move house, the ISP may be charged £33 for the "cease" request even though they've got no control of the user.
There must be a sensible rational behind it somewhere.
If a user then migrates to another operator, that's fine too.
However if a user happens to cancel their PSTN service, say they move house, the ISP may be charged £33 for the "cease" request even though they've got no control of the user.
There must be a sensible rational behind it somewhere.
Xbox.com | Xbox News - Instant Messaging Comes to Xbox 360
Xbox.com | Xbox News - Instant Messaging Comes to Xbox 360
Xbox Live is being updated. There are a multitude of new features the main one being the inclusion of Windows Live Messenger, so users can chat with anyone on the Windows Live service.
Other updates include new video formats and support for progressive downloads. The system checks there is room on the disk before downloading something (and wont deduct points if it cant).
Though recent sales of the Xbox 360 have slowed down, Xbox Live is still much better than services from Sony or Nintendo (though that's bound to change over time). Microsoft are doing their best to stay in the lead.
Xbox Live is being updated. There are a multitude of new features the main one being the inclusion of Windows Live Messenger, so users can chat with anyone on the Windows Live service.
Other updates include new video formats and support for progressive downloads. The system checks there is room on the disk before downloading something (and wont deduct points if it cant).
Though recent sales of the Xbox 360 have slowed down, Xbox Live is still much better than services from Sony or Nintendo (though that's bound to change over time). Microsoft are doing their best to stay in the lead.
The award of spectrum at 10, 28, 32 & 40 GHz | Ofcom
The award of spectrum at 10, 28, 32 & 40 GHz | Ofcom
Ofcom has released a report on the bands at 10GHz, 28GHz, 32GHz and 40GHz. The report shows there's very little interest in the 40GHz bands.
Broadcasters have a potential interest in 10GHz, while 10, 28 and 32 GHz could be used for fixed wireless broadband or backhaul or other similar technologies.
Broadcasters only require a single channel, while other applications would require 2 channels (paired bands) for duplex use.
Some of the report has been censored as it might influence the results of any auctions and/or processes.
10GHz was previously allocated (to THUS and NTL) but both gave the licenses back as they were not being used.
There have been auctions in 28GHz, but they weren't particularly successfull and only a few licensees are actually using their licenses.
Ofcom has released a report on the bands at 10GHz, 28GHz, 32GHz and 40GHz. The report shows there's very little interest in the 40GHz bands.
Broadcasters have a potential interest in 10GHz, while 10, 28 and 32 GHz could be used for fixed wireless broadband or backhaul or other similar technologies.
Broadcasters only require a single channel, while other applications would require 2 channels (paired bands) for duplex use.
Some of the report has been censored as it might influence the results of any auctions and/or processes.
10GHz was previously allocated (to THUS and NTL) but both gave the licenses back as they were not being used.
There have been auctions in 28GHz, but they weren't particularly successfull and only a few licensees are actually using their licenses.
NTL:Telewest Business up for sale?
VirginMedia which is a consumer focussed brand may dispose of NTL:Telewest Business, its business unit.
Though NTL:Telewest Business accounted for around £200m of VirginMedia's revenue it could be considered "non core". Allegedly there have been talks with Kingston Communications (the Hull based operator), but if that's true there have probably been talks with all the major players (C&W, Carphone Warehouse, THUS, etc).
The cash would allow VirginMedia to acquire content or produce more of its own channels which it's wanted to do for a while.
Though NTL:Telewest Business accounted for around £200m of VirginMedia's revenue it could be considered "non core". Allegedly there have been talks with Kingston Communications (the Hull based operator), but if that's true there have probably been talks with all the major players (C&W, Carphone Warehouse, THUS, etc).
The cash would allow VirginMedia to acquire content or produce more of its own channels which it's wanted to do for a while.
3 Mayıs 2007 Perşembe
Netgear acquire Infrant
Infrant are a great little company based in the Bay Area of California. They make network attached servers, supporting Windows, Macs and Linux.
They've just been acquired by Netgear and it looks like some of the Infrant people will be looking after the storage side of the Netgear business.
Hopefully this should be a great match as Netgear's storage products haven't been that great, but they do make interesting things like their media streaming boxes - which will be a great marriage. Infrant gets the worldwide distribution it's badly needed.
They've just been acquired by Netgear and it looks like some of the Infrant people will be looking after the storage side of the Netgear business.
Hopefully this should be a great match as Netgear's storage products haven't been that great, but they do make interesting things like their media streaming boxes - which will be a great marriage. Infrant gets the worldwide distribution it's badly needed.
Apple fixes QuickTime hole after hack
Digital Arts
Apple has released a new version of Quicktime following a competition trying to "break into" a Mac without any apps running, when that failed through the browser.
The "hack" allows a malicious website to publish a java applet that can trigger the exploit in Quicktime.
The Quicktime update is available for both Windows and MacOS X, on Windows it can be obtained standalone or with iTunes. On MacOS it's available via the software update utility.
Apple has released a new version of Quicktime following a competition trying to "break into" a Mac without any apps running, when that failed through the browser.
The "hack" allows a malicious website to publish a java applet that can trigger the exploit in Quicktime.
The Quicktime update is available for both Windows and MacOS X, on Windows it can be obtained standalone or with iTunes. On MacOS it's available via the software update utility.
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Availability of Numbering Resource | Ofcom
Ofcom held a consultation with respect to the UK numbering plan and conserving numbers.
91 geographic codes are now under conservation status and allocations will occur in blocks of 1000 instead of the older 10,000 number block allocations. This should ensure that these number ranges do not run out.
0872 and 0873 will be introduced to supplement 0871 and 0843 will supplement 0844 which are used in NTS (number translation services).
Ofcom held a consultation with respect to the UK numbering plan and conserving numbers.
91 geographic codes are now under conservation status and allocations will occur in blocks of 1000 instead of the older 10,000 number block allocations. This should ensure that these number ranges do not run out.
0872 and 0873 will be introduced to supplement 0871 and 0843 will supplement 0844 which are used in NTS (number translation services).
1 Mayıs 2007 Salı
Microsoft to open source part of Silverlight
Digit Online
Microsoft is expected to opensource at least parts of Silverlight, their in-browser media rich player which they hope will compete with Adobe's Flash.
Flash has several years head start and a plethera of programmers who can produce Flash output and though Microsoft's Expression tools will support Silverlight, they haven't been released yet (expected in June).
This could well be a Flash in the pan for Microsoft as Adobe are continually adding features to Flash and are unlikely to let Microsoft get a foothold.
Microsoft is expected to opensource at least parts of Silverlight, their in-browser media rich player which they hope will compete with Adobe's Flash.
Flash has several years head start and a plethera of programmers who can produce Flash output and though Microsoft's Expression tools will support Silverlight, they haven't been released yet (expected in June).
This could well be a Flash in the pan for Microsoft as Adobe are continually adding features to Flash and are unlikely to let Microsoft get a foothold.