playstation 3 update 2.36
Sony PS3 Update 2.36: Playstation 3 getting ready for in-game XMB
Earlier this week, the guys over at PS3 daily informed us that rumours were surfacing that a new Playstation 3 firmware was imminent. It turns out that the speculation was true, as firmware v.2.36 has now been officially released and is available for download.
The current update is a minor one, only designed to improve system security and improve stability for a range of titles. More importantly though, it appears that firmware 2.40 is on the horizon and finally news that the Playstation 3 is getting ready for in-game XMB, a feature that many of you gamers out there have been waiting to get your hands on. It is unclear yet what stability issues have been fixed yet, as I know a lot of you have been having a few problems with bugs in GTA IV, and we are unaware yet, as to if this update has made any changes to MGS4, most notably interaction with the in-game iPod perhaps. Feel free to leave a comment if you have found any changes to your games as a result of this firmware update.
Also announced on the official PS3 blog, is the addition of ‘trophies’ which will be come on the 2.40 update. Little information is known on this but Sony have stated, “The update will also include “trophies,” an exciting new feature that we’ll be providing more details on soon, as well as some other new enhancements.”
I can imagine these trophies to be some sort of award system as compared to the Xbox 360’s gamer points. It certainly does look very positive for the PS3 over the next few weeks, it will be interesting to find out just how the in-game XMB functions, and how smoothly it will interact with it’s games, stay tuned to find out more news on this
source-http://www.product-reviews.net/2008/06/18/sony-ps3-update-236-playstation-3-getting-ready-for-in-game-xmb/
Wednesday, June 18, 2008
ps3 update 2.36
ps3 update 2.36
PS3 update 2.36 has just been released by Sony today.
This firmware update 2.36 will improve “system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles.”
Sony Confirms PS3 Firmware 2.40 Bringing In-Game XMB and Trophies
The hot and heavy rumors that an imminent PS3 firmware update would finally bring in-game access to the XMB (cross media bar, the PS3's menu) are true: Sony's official PlayStation blog confirms that firmware update 2.40 will include the long-awaited menu access, along with trophies—the PS3's version of achievements—and "some other new enhancements." We'll have to sit through firmware update 2.36 first, though—it's pretty boring, just adding some system stability for certain games. No word on the date, but we're still crossing our fingers for this month.
Sony Announces In-Game XMB, 'Trophies' Bar For PS3
In a weblog post on the company's PlayStation.Blog service, Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that at an unspecified future date, the version 2.40 firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3 will offer in-game XMB functionality, and a "trophies" reward system.
The post, by Eric Lempel, SCEA's director, PlayStation Network operations, offers few details beyond a promise to include this functionality in the version 2.40 firmware update, which does not have an announced release date.
The next firmware upgrade will be version 2.36, which will improve compatibility with some PlayStation titles, and which will be released "soon" according to Lempel.
The exact functionality that the in-game XMB will provide is unclear, and Lempel did not go into specifics. Trophies are widely seen as the answer to Microsoft's popular Achivements on the Xbox 360, and were expected to be integrated as part of Sony's delayed virtual world Home. Lempel promises more details on trophies "soon".
Home's release has been repeatedly pushed back; the open beta will now not begin till this fall. SCEI CEO Kaz Hirai recently asked PS3 users to "wait a bit longer" for Home, promising that the delays would help ensure the company would be able to provide "new gaming experiences that are available only on PlayStation Home."
PS3 update 2.36 has just been released by Sony today.
This firmware update 2.36 will improve “system stability when playing select PlayStation format software titles.”
Sony Confirms PS3 Firmware 2.40 Bringing In-Game XMB and Trophies
The hot and heavy rumors that an imminent PS3 firmware update would finally bring in-game access to the XMB (cross media bar, the PS3's menu) are true: Sony's official PlayStation blog confirms that firmware update 2.40 will include the long-awaited menu access, along with trophies—the PS3's version of achievements—and "some other new enhancements." We'll have to sit through firmware update 2.36 first, though—it's pretty boring, just adding some system stability for certain games. No word on the date, but we're still crossing our fingers for this month.
Sony Announces In-Game XMB, 'Trophies' Bar For PS3
In a weblog post on the company's PlayStation.Blog service, Sony Computer Entertainment has announced that at an unspecified future date, the version 2.40 firmware upgrade for the PlayStation 3 will offer in-game XMB functionality, and a "trophies" reward system.
The post, by Eric Lempel, SCEA's director, PlayStation Network operations, offers few details beyond a promise to include this functionality in the version 2.40 firmware update, which does not have an announced release date.
The next firmware upgrade will be version 2.36, which will improve compatibility with some PlayStation titles, and which will be released "soon" according to Lempel.
The exact functionality that the in-game XMB will provide is unclear, and Lempel did not go into specifics. Trophies are widely seen as the answer to Microsoft's popular Achivements on the Xbox 360, and were expected to be integrated as part of Sony's delayed virtual world Home. Lempel promises more details on trophies "soon".
Home's release has been repeatedly pushed back; the open beta will now not begin till this fall. SCEI CEO Kaz Hirai recently asked PS3 users to "wait a bit longer" for Home, promising that the delays would help ensure the company would be able to provide "new gaming experiences that are available only on PlayStation Home."
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Quick Heal Appoints Esys for Guardian Anti Virus
Quick Heal Appoints Esys for Guardian Anti Virus
eSys Information Technologies announced its sign up with Quick Heal for the national distribution of its Guardian Anti Virus Software in India.
Quick Heal will leverage on the network of eSys Technologies in India to make its Guardian Anti Virus Software widely available across all major cities and towns in the country. The tie-up is aimed at providing faster access to supplies and continuous availability of its products to channels and customers across India.
Sumit Chadha, Business Manager, Esys Technologies, said, "It is an opportunity to expand our product portfolio and we will be optimizing the entire distribution channel to market Quick Heal's software in the country."
Guardian anti virus (a three-in-one protection for PC user) is powered by an antivirus and antispyware engine. Quick Heal engine gives the software an advantage of using user friendly yet world class product.
The software offers protection at an affordable price. It provides protection against viruses, root kits and spy wares and also aims to create awareness amongst all home users about the usage of genuine and licensed products.
source-http://www.crn.in/SoftwareJun10-08QuickHealAppointsEsysforGuardianAntiVirus.aspx
eSys Information Technologies announced its sign up with Quick Heal for the national distribution of its Guardian Anti Virus Software in India.
Quick Heal will leverage on the network of eSys Technologies in India to make its Guardian Anti Virus Software widely available across all major cities and towns in the country. The tie-up is aimed at providing faster access to supplies and continuous availability of its products to channels and customers across India.
Sumit Chadha, Business Manager, Esys Technologies, said, "It is an opportunity to expand our product portfolio and we will be optimizing the entire distribution channel to market Quick Heal's software in the country."
Guardian anti virus (a three-in-one protection for PC user) is powered by an antivirus and antispyware engine. Quick Heal engine gives the software an advantage of using user friendly yet world class product.
The software offers protection at an affordable price. It provides protection against viruses, root kits and spy wares and also aims to create awareness amongst all home users about the usage of genuine and licensed products.
source-http://www.crn.in/SoftwareJun10-08QuickHealAppointsEsysforGuardianAntiVirus.aspx
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
History of Computer
History of Computer
The History of Computers
"Who invented the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention.
This series covers many of the major milestones in computer history (but not all of them) with a concentration on the history of personal home computers.
Computer History
Year/Enter Computer History
Inventors/Inventions Computer History
Description of Event
1936 Konrad Zuse - Z1 Computer First freely programmable computer.
1942 John Atanasoff & Clifford Berry
ABC Computer Who was first in the computing biz is not always as easy as ABC.
1944 Howard Aiken & Grace Hopper
Harvard Mark I Computer The Harvard Mark 1 computer.
1946 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly
ENIAC 1 Computer 20,000 vacuum tubes later...
1948 Frederic Williams & Tom Kilburn
Manchester Baby Computer & The Williams Tube Baby and the Williams Tube turn on the memories.
1947/48 John Bardeen, Walter Brattain & Wiliam Shockley
The Transistor No, a transistor is not a computer, but this invention greatly affected the history of computers.
1951 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly
UNIVAC Computer First commercial computer & able to pick presidential winners.
1953 International Business Machines
IBM 701 EDPM Computer IBM enters into 'The History of Computers'.
1954 John Backus & IBM
FORTRAN Computer Programming Language The first successful high level programming language.
1955
(In Use 1959)
Stanford Research Institute, Bank of America, and General Electric
ERMA and MICR The first bank industry computer - also MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) for reading checks.
1958 Jack Kilby & Robert Noyce
The Integrated Circuit Otherwise known as 'The Chip'
1962 Steve Russell & MIT
Spacewar Computer Game The first computer game invented.
1964 Douglas Engelbart
Computer Mouse & Windows Nicknamed the mouse because the tail came out the end.
1969 ARPAnet The original Internet.
1970 Intel 1103 Computer Memory The world's first available dynamic RAM chip.
1971 Faggin, Hoff & Mazor
Intel 4004 Computer Microprocessor The first microprocessor.
1971 Alan Shugart &IBM
The "Floppy" Disk Nicknamed the "Floppy" for its flexibility.
1973 Robert Metcalfe & Xerox
The Ethernet Computer Networking Networking.
1974/75 Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair & IBM 5100 Computers The first consumer computers.
1976/77 Apple I, II & TRS-80 & Commodore Pet Computers More first consumer computers.
1978 Dan Bricklin & Bob Frankston
VisiCalc Spreadsheet Software Any product that pays for itself in two weeks is a surefire winner.
1979 Seymour Rubenstein & Rob Barnaby
WordStar Software Word Processors.
1981 IBM
The IBM PC - Home Computer From an "Acorn" grows a personal computer revolution
1981 Microsoft
MS-DOS Computer Operating System From "Quick And Dirty" comes the operating system of the century.
1983 Apple Lisa Computer The first home computer with a GUI, graphical user interface.
1984 Apple Macintosh Computer The more affordable home computer with a GUI.
1985 Microsoft Windows Microsoft begins the friendly war with Apple.
SERIES TO BE CONTINUED
source-http://inventors.about.com/library/blcoindex.htm
The History of Computers
"Who invented the computer?" is not a question with a simple answer. The real answer is that many inventors contributed to the history of computers and that a computer is a complex piece of machinery made up of many parts, each of which can be considered a separate invention.
This series covers many of the major milestones in computer history (but not all of them) with a concentration on the history of personal home computers.
Computer History
Year/Enter Computer History
Inventors/Inventions Computer History
Description of Event
1936 Konrad Zuse - Z1 Computer First freely programmable computer.
1942 John Atanasoff & Clifford Berry
ABC Computer Who was first in the computing biz is not always as easy as ABC.
1944 Howard Aiken & Grace Hopper
Harvard Mark I Computer The Harvard Mark 1 computer.
1946 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly
ENIAC 1 Computer 20,000 vacuum tubes later...
1948 Frederic Williams & Tom Kilburn
Manchester Baby Computer & The Williams Tube Baby and the Williams Tube turn on the memories.
1947/48 John Bardeen, Walter Brattain & Wiliam Shockley
The Transistor No, a transistor is not a computer, but this invention greatly affected the history of computers.
1951 John Presper Eckert & John W. Mauchly
UNIVAC Computer First commercial computer & able to pick presidential winners.
1953 International Business Machines
IBM 701 EDPM Computer IBM enters into 'The History of Computers'.
1954 John Backus & IBM
FORTRAN Computer Programming Language The first successful high level programming language.
1955
(In Use 1959)
Stanford Research Institute, Bank of America, and General Electric
ERMA and MICR The first bank industry computer - also MICR (magnetic ink character recognition) for reading checks.
1958 Jack Kilby & Robert Noyce
The Integrated Circuit Otherwise known as 'The Chip'
1962 Steve Russell & MIT
Spacewar Computer Game The first computer game invented.
1964 Douglas Engelbart
Computer Mouse & Windows Nicknamed the mouse because the tail came out the end.
1969 ARPAnet The original Internet.
1970 Intel 1103 Computer Memory The world's first available dynamic RAM chip.
1971 Faggin, Hoff & Mazor
Intel 4004 Computer Microprocessor The first microprocessor.
1971 Alan Shugart &IBM
The "Floppy" Disk Nicknamed the "Floppy" for its flexibility.
1973 Robert Metcalfe & Xerox
The Ethernet Computer Networking Networking.
1974/75 Scelbi & Mark-8 Altair & IBM 5100 Computers The first consumer computers.
1976/77 Apple I, II & TRS-80 & Commodore Pet Computers More first consumer computers.
1978 Dan Bricklin & Bob Frankston
VisiCalc Spreadsheet Software Any product that pays for itself in two weeks is a surefire winner.
1979 Seymour Rubenstein & Rob Barnaby
WordStar Software Word Processors.
1981 IBM
The IBM PC - Home Computer From an "Acorn" grows a personal computer revolution
1981 Microsoft
MS-DOS Computer Operating System From "Quick And Dirty" comes the operating system of the century.
1983 Apple Lisa Computer The first home computer with a GUI, graphical user interface.
1984 Apple Macintosh Computer The more affordable home computer with a GUI.
1985 Microsoft Windows Microsoft begins the friendly war with Apple.
SERIES TO BE CONTINUED
source-http://inventors.about.com/library/blcoindex.htm
The Sony Ericsson C905 8.1 megapixel camera
The Sony Ericsson C905 8.1 megapixel camera
After the Nokia N82 was launched, Sony Ericsson practically lost the camera phone war, if there was one. The current Cyber-shot devices produce photos of lower quality than Nokia phones. But, that's about to change, or we hope it will…
The Sony Ericsson C905 aka Shino is the next step in the Cyber-shot camera phone evolution, sporting a 8.1 megapixel camera! And while we're not sure we actually need that many pixels — better colors and faster photo taking is all we require — it's good to see the Swedish-Japanese company making further steps to advance its Cyber-shot line.
Anyway, let's go through specs, shall we:
First, the C902 Shino is a feature phone. It runs no mobile OS.
Camera: 8.1 megapixels with auto-focus, face recognition, "Smart Contrast," image stabilization, BestPic, red-eye reduction, xenon flash.
Navigation: built-in GPS with further support for A-GPS.
Display: 2.4-inch QVGA scratch-resistant mineral glass TFT display.
Wireless connectivity: WiFi with DLNA-support, Bluetooth, HSDPA.
Other: TV-Out, Memory Stick Micro (M2) expansion slot.
Dimensions: 104×49x18 (19.5) mm, weight: 136 grams.
Color options: Copper Gold, Ice Silver, and Night Black.
Availability: Early Q4.
source-http://www.intomobile.com/2008/06/11/sony-ericsson-c905-shiho-leaked-thats-81-megapixels-baby.html
After the Nokia N82 was launched, Sony Ericsson practically lost the camera phone war, if there was one. The current Cyber-shot devices produce photos of lower quality than Nokia phones. But, that's about to change, or we hope it will…
The Sony Ericsson C905 aka Shino is the next step in the Cyber-shot camera phone evolution, sporting a 8.1 megapixel camera! And while we're not sure we actually need that many pixels — better colors and faster photo taking is all we require — it's good to see the Swedish-Japanese company making further steps to advance its Cyber-shot line.
Anyway, let's go through specs, shall we:
First, the C902 Shino is a feature phone. It runs no mobile OS.
Camera: 8.1 megapixels with auto-focus, face recognition, "Smart Contrast," image stabilization, BestPic, red-eye reduction, xenon flash.
Navigation: built-in GPS with further support for A-GPS.
Display: 2.4-inch QVGA scratch-resistant mineral glass TFT display.
Wireless connectivity: WiFi with DLNA-support, Bluetooth, HSDPA.
Other: TV-Out, Memory Stick Micro (M2) expansion slot.
Dimensions: 104×49x18 (19.5) mm, weight: 136 grams.
Color options: Copper Gold, Ice Silver, and Night Black.
Availability: Early Q4.
source-http://www.intomobile.com/2008/06/11/sony-ericsson-c905-shiho-leaked-thats-81-megapixels-baby.html
The Sony Ericsson C905
Sony Ericsson C905: 8.1-megapixel camera and U.S. HSDPA support?
The Sony Ericsson C905 could be exactly what Sony Ericsson needs right now; a Cyber-shot phone that doesn't remind us of 2006.
The Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog has dug up a press image and a specifications sheet for the upcoming Sony Ericsson C905. The Sony Ericsson C905 is expected to be announced later this month, meaning it'll likely go on sale around November/December 2008.
The Sony Ericsson C905 features a 8.1-megapixel camera with autofocus, face recognition, image stabilization, BestPic, red-eye reduction, Xenon flash and a new feature called Smart Contrast.
A few other key features to the Sony Ericsson C905 are built-in GPS and geo-tagging of photos, as well as an accelerometer that will automatically flip to landscape mode when tilting it. The Sony Ericsson C905 is expected to sport a 2.4-inch QVGA display, and will also offer an optional TV-Out Cable ITC-60 for connection to TVs.
Measuring 104 by 49 by 18 mm and weighing 136 grams, the Sony Ericsson C905 is claimed to be announced with support for North American HSDPA. The Sony Ericsson C905 should also offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Exchange ActiveSync support.
source-http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9469.html
The Sony Ericsson C905 could be exactly what Sony Ericsson needs right now; a Cyber-shot phone that doesn't remind us of 2006.
The Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog has dug up a press image and a specifications sheet for the upcoming Sony Ericsson C905. The Sony Ericsson C905 is expected to be announced later this month, meaning it'll likely go on sale around November/December 2008.
The Sony Ericsson C905 features a 8.1-megapixel camera with autofocus, face recognition, image stabilization, BestPic, red-eye reduction, Xenon flash and a new feature called Smart Contrast.
A few other key features to the Sony Ericsson C905 are built-in GPS and geo-tagging of photos, as well as an accelerometer that will automatically flip to landscape mode when tilting it. The Sony Ericsson C905 is expected to sport a 2.4-inch QVGA display, and will also offer an optional TV-Out Cable ITC-60 for connection to TVs.
Measuring 104 by 49 by 18 mm and weighing 136 grams, the Sony Ericsson C905 is claimed to be announced with support for North American HSDPA. The Sony Ericsson C905 should also offer Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and Exchange ActiveSync support.
source-http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9469.html
Monday, June 9, 2008
T-Mobile inks exclusive new 3G iPhone deal-sources
T-Mobile inks exclusive new 3G iPhone deal-sources
COLOGNE, June 9 (Reuters) - German mobile operator T-Mobile will sell a new version of Apple's APPL.O coveted iPhone exclusively in Germany and the Netherlands, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.
One of the sources also said the new version would be available in Germany next month.
T-Mobile declined to comment.
Analysts expect Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs to present an improved iPhone running on a so-called third-generation (3G) network for faster data speeds at Apple's developers conference on Monday.
T-Mobile, the mobile communication business of Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), has been selling Apple's original iPhone in Germany exclusively since November 2007.
The new iPhone will be accompanied by support for corporate e-mail and a slate of new programs that could help boost sales of the devices, which sport a touch-sensitive screen, wireless Internet access and iPod-style media functions.
Apple has declined to comment on what Jobs will announce.
T-Mobile Chief Executive Hamid Akhavan told Reuters last month he expected the company to remain the only seller of the iPhone in Germany and added at the time: "If and when there is a 3G iPhone we expect to have it exclusively in Germany as well."
In April, T-Mobile began offering the iPhone for 99 euros ($156.5) in combination with the most expensive T-Mobile contract of 89 euros per month, giving rise to speculation it was trying to clear the shelves for a new version of the iPhone.
source-http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSWEA904720080609
COLOGNE, June 9 (Reuters) - German mobile operator T-Mobile will sell a new version of Apple's APPL.O coveted iPhone exclusively in Germany and the Netherlands, two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters on Monday.
One of the sources also said the new version would be available in Germany next month.
T-Mobile declined to comment.
Analysts expect Apple Chief Executive Steve Jobs to present an improved iPhone running on a so-called third-generation (3G) network for faster data speeds at Apple's developers conference on Monday.
T-Mobile, the mobile communication business of Deutsche Telekom (DTEGn.DE: Quote, Profile, Research), has been selling Apple's original iPhone in Germany exclusively since November 2007.
The new iPhone will be accompanied by support for corporate e-mail and a slate of new programs that could help boost sales of the devices, which sport a touch-sensitive screen, wireless Internet access and iPod-style media functions.
Apple has declined to comment on what Jobs will announce.
T-Mobile Chief Executive Hamid Akhavan told Reuters last month he expected the company to remain the only seller of the iPhone in Germany and added at the time: "If and when there is a 3G iPhone we expect to have it exclusively in Germany as well."
In April, T-Mobile began offering the iPhone for 99 euros ($156.5) in combination with the most expensive T-Mobile contract of 89 euros per month, giving rise to speculation it was trying to clear the shelves for a new version of the iPhone.
source-http://www.reuters.com/article/rbssTechMediaTelecomNews/idUSWEA904720080609
New Iphone Comes With A D-List Celeb
New Iphone Comes With A D-List Celeb
NEW YORK, NY - The long-awaited 2nd generation iphone will come with its very own celebrity, states an SCNN source close to Steve Jobs. When the Apple CEO reached his limit in iphone programming, he reportedly decided to go one gimmick further by giving away out-of-work actors, singers, and heiresses with the purchase of the new device.
“It’s the best marketing strategy since Buy One Get One Free,” said the source. “I just hope that Soleil Moon Frye isn’t taken when I buy my iphone. Love that Punky Brewster!”
Other celebrities rumored to be part of the new deal include Mario Lopez, Tara Reid, Blanche from Golden Girls, Ben Affleck, and Drea de Matteo. The way it will work is when a customer purchases a new iphone, they can scan a list of celebrities ..
source-http://www.seriouscelebritynewsnetwork.com/2008/06/new-iphone-comes-with-a-d-list-celeb.html
NEW YORK, NY - The long-awaited 2nd generation iphone will come with its very own celebrity, states an SCNN source close to Steve Jobs. When the Apple CEO reached his limit in iphone programming, he reportedly decided to go one gimmick further by giving away out-of-work actors, singers, and heiresses with the purchase of the new device.
“It’s the best marketing strategy since Buy One Get One Free,” said the source. “I just hope that Soleil Moon Frye isn’t taken when I buy my iphone. Love that Punky Brewster!”
Other celebrities rumored to be part of the new deal include Mario Lopez, Tara Reid, Blanche from Golden Girls, Ben Affleck, and Drea de Matteo. The way it will work is when a customer purchases a new iphone, they can scan a list of celebrities ..
source-http://www.seriouscelebritynewsnetwork.com/2008/06/new-iphone-comes-with-a-d-list-celeb.html
iSkin lights the Fuze on a new iPhone case
iSkin lights the Fuze on a new iPhone case
Love it or hate it there is no denying that the Apple iPhone has made a big impact in the mobile phone market. Since the introduction of the iPhone most every major cell phone maker has come to market with touch enabled phones and devices. Some of the devices are good and some of them not so good.
Despite the fact that Apple is widely expected to announce the new iPhone today at the Apple WWDC, iSkin is announcing a new case for the first generation iPhone. The case is called the Fuze and despite the fact that first generation iPhone’s are hard to come by in most parts iSkin promises the Fuze is the best case around for the iPhone.
The case has a soft interior to prevent scratching of the iPhone and an impact resistant polycarbonate exterior covered by rubberized material for better grip. The Fuze is also compatible with the optional belt clip from iSkin. iSkin also notes that a version for the iPhone 2 will be available soon. Soon will likely mean today since as soon as the new iPhone is announced hoards of accessories will be announced as well.
source-http://www.slipperybrick.com/2008/06/iskin-lights-the-fuze-on-a-new-iphone-case/
Love it or hate it there is no denying that the Apple iPhone has made a big impact in the mobile phone market. Since the introduction of the iPhone most every major cell phone maker has come to market with touch enabled phones and devices. Some of the devices are good and some of them not so good.
Despite the fact that Apple is widely expected to announce the new iPhone today at the Apple WWDC, iSkin is announcing a new case for the first generation iPhone. The case is called the Fuze and despite the fact that first generation iPhone’s are hard to come by in most parts iSkin promises the Fuze is the best case around for the iPhone.
The case has a soft interior to prevent scratching of the iPhone and an impact resistant polycarbonate exterior covered by rubberized material for better grip. The Fuze is also compatible with the optional belt clip from iSkin. iSkin also notes that a version for the iPhone 2 will be available soon. Soon will likely mean today since as soon as the new iPhone is announced hoards of accessories will be announced as well.
source-http://www.slipperybrick.com/2008/06/iskin-lights-the-fuze-on-a-new-iphone-case/
iPhone 2.0 Worldwide Launch on June 9th
iPhone 2.0 Worldwide Launch on June 9th
A June 9 launch date for the iPhone 2? No surprises there, and now it looks like inside sources are confirming the June 9 date, which is also when Steve Jobs' keynote at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is scheduled.
But Gizmodo's Jesus Diaz has got wind of the details of the launch, and his source tells him that the Second Coming will be a worldwide event -- not just in the United States. He also claims that his snitch, "someone very, very close to the 3-G iPhone launch", says that the current fixed pricing model will be discontinued in favor of a more Euro-friendly flexible price point, one that can shift subject to the markets and the whims of the telcos.
The last point concerns Spain. As we reported this morning, Telefónica will indeed carry the iPhone, and will be launching it along with its brand new Madrid megastore on June 18.
This seems plausible enough. Despite the odd delay, all of Apple's hardware ships worldwide immediately upon launch. And the evidence coming in from around the world corroborates Jesus' story: The million and one one-line press releases from cellphone carriers announcing deals with Apple, for one, and the iPhone drought in the UK, Germany and even the online Apple store, for another. What is amazing is that Apple kept things quiet for so long, considering the amount of people involved.
So far, we count over 40 countries with iPhone deals, and in some of these there will be multiple carriers offering the iPhone. Here's what I believe to be a comprehensive list, not including the countries where the iPhone is already on sale, in no particular order (actually, the order I found them on Google):
Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Italy, India, Austria, Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Canada, Singapore, Belgium, Jordan, Romania, Switzerland and Slovakia.
British readers might note an eerie similarity to the old map of the British Empire, with the controlled territories colored pink.
If Jesus' tipoff is right, it looks like Apple is poised to conquer the world with the iPhone, much as it has done with the iPod, only a lot quicker. Piper Jaffray consultant Gene Munster put the numbers into his calculator and totted up the potential market for the iPhone now that these deals are in place. The number is 575 million. If Apple does nothing more than keep its existing 3 percent market penetration, that means it could sell 17.25 million iPhones. Muster doesn't stop there, though. He reckons that Apple could shift 45 million units by the end of 2009. Truly, the iPhone could be the phone on which the sun never sets.
source-http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/05/iphone-20-world.html
A June 9 launch date for the iPhone 2? No surprises there, and now it looks like inside sources are confirming the June 9 date, which is also when Steve Jobs' keynote at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference is scheduled.
But Gizmodo's Jesus Diaz has got wind of the details of the launch, and his source tells him that the Second Coming will be a worldwide event -- not just in the United States. He also claims that his snitch, "someone very, very close to the 3-G iPhone launch", says that the current fixed pricing model will be discontinued in favor of a more Euro-friendly flexible price point, one that can shift subject to the markets and the whims of the telcos.
The last point concerns Spain. As we reported this morning, Telefónica will indeed carry the iPhone, and will be launching it along with its brand new Madrid megastore on June 18.
This seems plausible enough. Despite the odd delay, all of Apple's hardware ships worldwide immediately upon launch. And the evidence coming in from around the world corroborates Jesus' story: The million and one one-line press releases from cellphone carriers announcing deals with Apple, for one, and the iPhone drought in the UK, Germany and even the online Apple store, for another. What is amazing is that Apple kept things quiet for so long, considering the amount of people involved.
So far, we count over 40 countries with iPhone deals, and in some of these there will be multiple carriers offering the iPhone. Here's what I believe to be a comprehensive list, not including the countries where the iPhone is already on sale, in no particular order (actually, the order I found them on Google):
Australia, the Czech Republic, Egypt, Greece, Italy, India, Portugal, New Zealand, South Africa, Turkey, Italy, India, Austria, Philippines, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Uruguay, Canada, Singapore, Belgium, Jordan, Romania, Switzerland and Slovakia.
British readers might note an eerie similarity to the old map of the British Empire, with the controlled territories colored pink.
If Jesus' tipoff is right, it looks like Apple is poised to conquer the world with the iPhone, much as it has done with the iPod, only a lot quicker. Piper Jaffray consultant Gene Munster put the numbers into his calculator and totted up the potential market for the iPhone now that these deals are in place. The number is 575 million. If Apple does nothing more than keep its existing 3 percent market penetration, that means it could sell 17.25 million iPhones. Muster doesn't stop there, though. He reckons that Apple could shift 45 million units by the end of 2009. Truly, the iPhone could be the phone on which the sun never sets.
source-http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2008/05/iphone-20-world.html
Apple 3G iPhone release coincides with AT&T HSUPA completion
Apple 3G iPhone release coincides with AT&T HSUPA completion
The second half of June 2008 will mark a new era for AT&T. Will the Apple 3G iPhone show up on AT&T with HSUPA support around the 18th of June?
AT&T today announced that, in the next month, the company will deploy High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T's entire 3G wireless broadband network. When done, AT&T will have completed its deployment of HSUPA technology, which complements existing HSDPA technology, making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology in its 3G network. Today the turbo-3G AT&T network is available in more than 275 markets, but another 75 markets will get such coverage by the end of the year.
With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users are promised upload speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps, complementing the maximum 1.4 Mbps download speeds. However, while a couple of HSUPA data cards have already been added to AT&T's portfolio, the HSUPA multimedia smartphones are still missing.
The grin on Steve Jobs' face during his upcoming keynote on June 9th, if he pulls AT&T's and America's first HSUPA multimedia smartphone out of his pocket, will probably make all of us think how simple that must have been to come up with. However, even giants like Nokia had their initial struggle with implementing HSPA technology, so has Apple moved from EDGE to HSPA in less than a year, it's quite an accomplishment.
Too good to be true some may say, and we honestly have no proof of what exactly the Apple 3G iPhone will and will not offer. The only thing we do know, is that the Apple 3G iPhone will likely be announced on the 9th and released by AT&T on the 18th or 19th of June 2008, perhaps to coincide with a real "AT&T HSPA party". Because, AT&T has yet to make a big mainstream deal out of its latest network upgrade.
The carrier simply admits that equally as important as the network is the device through with a customer experiences it; thus more 3G-enabled smartphones will be released in the summer and fall of 2008. So, what AT&T is really saying without actually saying it, is that they are waiting for Apple, HTC and perhaps Sony Ericsson to start shipping their HSUPA smartphones, and then first, the real action begins. We agree with AT&T; the carrier would get some serious action on its network by being host to the Apple 3G iPhone, HTC Diamond and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 when the holiday season arrives.
Between 2005 and 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20 billion in network improvements and upgrades - an average of $5 billion a year. AT&T recently turned down its older TDMA network, and that will allow the company to reuse valuable 850 MHz spectrum to expand and enhance 3G markets. AT&T plans to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds in the long term. But before we start wishing for a LTE iPhone, let's get this 3G iPhone launch over with.
source-http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9387.html
The second half of June 2008 will mark a new era for AT&T. Will the Apple 3G iPhone show up on AT&T with HSUPA support around the 18th of June?
AT&T today announced that, in the next month, the company will deploy High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T's entire 3G wireless broadband network. When done, AT&T will have completed its deployment of HSUPA technology, which complements existing HSDPA technology, making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology in its 3G network. Today the turbo-3G AT&T network is available in more than 275 markets, but another 75 markets will get such coverage by the end of the year.
With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users are promised upload speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps, complementing the maximum 1.4 Mbps download speeds. However, while a couple of HSUPA data cards have already been added to AT&T's portfolio, the HSUPA multimedia smartphones are still missing.
The grin on Steve Jobs' face during his upcoming keynote on June 9th, if he pulls AT&T's and America's first HSUPA multimedia smartphone out of his pocket, will probably make all of us think how simple that must have been to come up with. However, even giants like Nokia had their initial struggle with implementing HSPA technology, so has Apple moved from EDGE to HSPA in less than a year, it's quite an accomplishment.
Too good to be true some may say, and we honestly have no proof of what exactly the Apple 3G iPhone will and will not offer. The only thing we do know, is that the Apple 3G iPhone will likely be announced on the 9th and released by AT&T on the 18th or 19th of June 2008, perhaps to coincide with a real "AT&T HSPA party". Because, AT&T has yet to make a big mainstream deal out of its latest network upgrade.
The carrier simply admits that equally as important as the network is the device through with a customer experiences it; thus more 3G-enabled smartphones will be released in the summer and fall of 2008. So, what AT&T is really saying without actually saying it, is that they are waiting for Apple, HTC and perhaps Sony Ericsson to start shipping their HSUPA smartphones, and then first, the real action begins. We agree with AT&T; the carrier would get some serious action on its network by being host to the Apple 3G iPhone, HTC Diamond and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 when the holiday season arrives.
Between 2005 and 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20 billion in network improvements and upgrades - an average of $5 billion a year. AT&T recently turned down its older TDMA network, and that will allow the company to reuse valuable 850 MHz spectrum to expand and enhance 3G markets. AT&T plans to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds in the long term. But before we start wishing for a LTE iPhone, let's get this 3G iPhone launch over with.
source-http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9387.html
Apple 3G iPhone release coincides with AT&T HSUPA completion
Apple 3G iPhone release coincides with AT&T HSUPA completion
The second half of June 2008 will mark a new era for AT&T. Will the Apple 3G iPhone show up on AT&T with HSUPA support around the 18th of June?
AT&T today announced that, in the next month, the company will deploy High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T's entire 3G wireless broadband network. When done, AT&T will have completed its deployment of HSUPA technology, which complements existing HSDPA technology, making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology in its 3G network. Today the turbo-3G AT&T network is available in more than 275 markets, but another 75 markets will get such coverage by the end of the year.
With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users are promised upload speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps, complementing the maximum 1.4 Mbps download speeds. However, while a couple of HSUPA data cards have already been added to AT&T's portfolio, the HSUPA multimedia smartphones are still missing.
The grin on Steve Jobs' face during his upcoming keynote on June 9th, if he pulls AT&T's and America's first HSUPA multimedia smartphone out of his pocket, will probably make all of us think how simple that must have been to come up with. However, even giants like Nokia had their initial struggle with implementing HSPA technology, so has Apple moved from EDGE to HSPA in less than a year, it's quite an accomplishment.
Too good to be true some may say, and we honestly have no proof of what exactly the Apple 3G iPhone will and will not offer. The only thing we do know, is that the Apple 3G iPhone will likely be announced on the 9th and released by AT&T on the 18th or 19th of June 2008, perhaps to coincide with a real "AT&T HSPA party". Because, AT&T has yet to make a big mainstream deal out of its latest network upgrade.
The carrier simply admits that equally as important as the network is the device through with a customer experiences it; thus more 3G-enabled smartphones will be released in the summer and fall of 2008. So, what AT&T is really saying without actually saying it, is that they are waiting for Apple, HTC and perhaps Sony Ericsson to start shipping their HSUPA smartphones, and then first, the real action begins. We agree with AT&T; the carrier would get some serious action on its network by being host to the Apple 3G iPhone, HTC Diamond and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 when the holiday season arrives.
Between 2005 and 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20 billion in network improvements and upgrades - an average of $5 billion a year. AT&T recently turned down its older TDMA network, and that will allow the company to reuse valuable 850 MHz spectrum to expand and enhance 3G markets. AT&T plans to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds in the long term. But before we start wishing for a LTE iPhone, let's get this 3G iPhone launch over with.
source-http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9387.html
The second half of June 2008 will mark a new era for AT&T. Will the Apple 3G iPhone show up on AT&T with HSUPA support around the 18th of June?
AT&T today announced that, in the next month, the company will deploy High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA) technology in the six remaining markets across AT&T's entire 3G wireless broadband network. When done, AT&T will have completed its deployment of HSUPA technology, which complements existing HSDPA technology, making AT&T the only U.S. carrier to have fully deployed HSPA technology in its 3G network. Today the turbo-3G AT&T network is available in more than 275 markets, but another 75 markets will get such coverage by the end of the year.
With the new addition of HSUPA technology, AT&T 3G users are promised upload speeds between 500 and 800 Kbps, complementing the maximum 1.4 Mbps download speeds. However, while a couple of HSUPA data cards have already been added to AT&T's portfolio, the HSUPA multimedia smartphones are still missing.
The grin on Steve Jobs' face during his upcoming keynote on June 9th, if he pulls AT&T's and America's first HSUPA multimedia smartphone out of his pocket, will probably make all of us think how simple that must have been to come up with. However, even giants like Nokia had their initial struggle with implementing HSPA technology, so has Apple moved from EDGE to HSPA in less than a year, it's quite an accomplishment.
Too good to be true some may say, and we honestly have no proof of what exactly the Apple 3G iPhone will and will not offer. The only thing we do know, is that the Apple 3G iPhone will likely be announced on the 9th and released by AT&T on the 18th or 19th of June 2008, perhaps to coincide with a real "AT&T HSPA party". Because, AT&T has yet to make a big mainstream deal out of its latest network upgrade.
The carrier simply admits that equally as important as the network is the device through with a customer experiences it; thus more 3G-enabled smartphones will be released in the summer and fall of 2008. So, what AT&T is really saying without actually saying it, is that they are waiting for Apple, HTC and perhaps Sony Ericsson to start shipping their HSUPA smartphones, and then first, the real action begins. We agree with AT&T; the carrier would get some serious action on its network by being host to the Apple 3G iPhone, HTC Diamond and Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 when the holiday season arrives.
Between 2005 and 2008, AT&T will have invested more than $20 billion in network improvements and upgrades - an average of $5 billion a year. AT&T recently turned down its older TDMA network, and that will allow the company to reuse valuable 850 MHz spectrum to expand and enhance 3G markets. AT&T plans to adopt LTE (Long Term Evolution) technology to reach even higher speeds in the long term. But before we start wishing for a LTE iPhone, let's get this 3G iPhone launch over with.
source-http://www.infosyncworld.com/news/n/9387.html
3G iPhone to release in early 2008
3G iPhone to release in early 2008
According to Apple Insider, they have it on good authority that a Swedish firm has been assured that they'll get their hands on a 3G version of the iPhone as early as January 2008.
Whether it will be the first model that those outside the US get their hands on, or not, remains to be seen. Will there be two iPhones, one with and one without 3G? After all, not everyone (so I've heard) is so bothered about 3G if they have decent wi-fi, and are more concerned about the entertainment potential of their mobile.
Apple Insider reports:
Apple's choice of cellphone networks would obligate it to use a particular form of 3G known as High-Speed Download Packet Access (HSDPA) [which] happens to represent Apple's best shot at selling the iPhone beyond American borders. In Europe, cheaper data rates and widespread 3G networks encourage Internet access from smartphones to the extent that many cellphone giants lavish more attention on their phone lineups for that continent than anywhere else. Nokia's range toppers, for example, are often badged as "multimedia computers" rather than cellphones.
source-http://www.3gnewsroom.com/3g_news/mar_07/news_7701.shtml
According to Apple Insider, they have it on good authority that a Swedish firm has been assured that they'll get their hands on a 3G version of the iPhone as early as January 2008.
Whether it will be the first model that those outside the US get their hands on, or not, remains to be seen. Will there be two iPhones, one with and one without 3G? After all, not everyone (so I've heard) is so bothered about 3G if they have decent wi-fi, and are more concerned about the entertainment potential of their mobile.
Apple Insider reports:
Apple's choice of cellphone networks would obligate it to use a particular form of 3G known as High-Speed Download Packet Access (HSDPA) [which] happens to represent Apple's best shot at selling the iPhone beyond American borders. In Europe, cheaper data rates and widespread 3G networks encourage Internet access from smartphones to the extent that many cellphone giants lavish more attention on their phone lineups for that continent than anywhere else. Nokia's range toppers, for example, are often badged as "multimedia computers" rather than cellphones.
source-http://www.3gnewsroom.com/3g_news/mar_07/news_7701.shtml
Could the new iPhone change music?
Could the new iPhone change music?
The new iPhone's web connectivity pushes the possibilities for buying and storing music - it could prove to be a musical milestone
Of course it'll be one among many music phones but the iPhone will still lead the way. Photograph: AP
The biggest US music retailer is expected to introduce a new mobile phone tonight, so, is it time to dump your iPod? Possibly.
We're talking about Apple's much-hyped iPhone launch, of course. And it doesn't take a dose of Geek Potion Number Nine to make a few guesses at its impact on music sales, because it will support a fast mobile data transfer standard called 3G, which, twinned with the iTunes Music Store, raises lots of possibilities. Here are five of them...
· Unlimited music. The number of tracks in your iPod is limited by how many it holds. The iPhone is the same, but because it's internet-connected, there's already ways to stream music you don't have with you using the internet (Remote Buddy, for example). All your music, all the time.
· While other mobile stores exist, they suffer dropped connections, failed downloads and aren't as flexible; iPhones can carry music from your existing collection and will eventually let you buy music over-the-air. You'll be watching an act at one of this summer's festivals, buying their music on your phone as soon as they leave the stage. All your new tracks jump straight into your computer when you connect (sync) your iPhone. And work with your iPod also.
· All the latest info says Apple plans to introduce its mobile internationally this year, so it's pretty clear part of the plan includes launching iTunes in more countries to boost that launch. iTunes only sells music in 22 countries right now.
· Under the banner of access, not ownership, subscription is the great future music hope. The iPod was the most successful portable music player. Now it's internet-savvy, what's to stop Apple launching a subscription service using its iPod phone? U2 manager Paul McGuinness tipped us off about this at Midem this year, when he predicted "a wireless iPod that connects to an iTunes 'all of the music, wherever you are' subscription service".
· It's not just about music consumption. 1999's iMac computer had less processing power and capacity than the iPhone does now. Add a dose of wireless connectivity, and you have a band - albeit a virtual one - in your pocket. Take a look at the iBand video for an idea of what this could mean.
I don't expect all these things to happen now, but it will soon be easier to find, share and listen to the music you want when and where you want it than ever. Some would say that's as important a moment in musical history as the invention of the gramophone.
source-http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/06/could_the_new_iphone_change_mu.html
The new iPhone's web connectivity pushes the possibilities for buying and storing music - it could prove to be a musical milestone
Of course it'll be one among many music phones but the iPhone will still lead the way. Photograph: AP
The biggest US music retailer is expected to introduce a new mobile phone tonight, so, is it time to dump your iPod? Possibly.
We're talking about Apple's much-hyped iPhone launch, of course. And it doesn't take a dose of Geek Potion Number Nine to make a few guesses at its impact on music sales, because it will support a fast mobile data transfer standard called 3G, which, twinned with the iTunes Music Store, raises lots of possibilities. Here are five of them...
· Unlimited music. The number of tracks in your iPod is limited by how many it holds. The iPhone is the same, but because it's internet-connected, there's already ways to stream music you don't have with you using the internet (Remote Buddy, for example). All your music, all the time.
· While other mobile stores exist, they suffer dropped connections, failed downloads and aren't as flexible; iPhones can carry music from your existing collection and will eventually let you buy music over-the-air. You'll be watching an act at one of this summer's festivals, buying their music on your phone as soon as they leave the stage. All your new tracks jump straight into your computer when you connect (sync) your iPhone. And work with your iPod also.
· All the latest info says Apple plans to introduce its mobile internationally this year, so it's pretty clear part of the plan includes launching iTunes in more countries to boost that launch. iTunes only sells music in 22 countries right now.
· Under the banner of access, not ownership, subscription is the great future music hope. The iPod was the most successful portable music player. Now it's internet-savvy, what's to stop Apple launching a subscription service using its iPod phone? U2 manager Paul McGuinness tipped us off about this at Midem this year, when he predicted "a wireless iPod that connects to an iTunes 'all of the music, wherever you are' subscription service".
· It's not just about music consumption. 1999's iMac computer had less processing power and capacity than the iPhone does now. Add a dose of wireless connectivity, and you have a band - albeit a virtual one - in your pocket. Take a look at the iBand video for an idea of what this could mean.
I don't expect all these things to happen now, but it will soon be easier to find, share and listen to the music you want when and where you want it than ever. Some would say that's as important a moment in musical history as the invention of the gramophone.
source-http://blogs.guardian.co.uk/music/2008/06/could_the_new_iphone_change_mu.html
New iPhone to stake out new turf
New iPhone to stake out new turf
In what could be the worst-kept technology secret of the year, Apple Inc. chief executive officer Steve Jobs is expected to unveil the next evolution of the company's game-changing iPhone today.
The updated iPhone will almost certainly run on the most advanced wireless networks yet available, and will promise customers the ability to surf the Web and stream video at speeds comparable to home broadband connections.
Analysts say the “3G” iPhone will give Apple the technology it needs to become a global cellphone powerhouse, and for Rogers Wireless Communications Inc., the Canadian carrier of the device, iPhone version 2.0 represents a potential windfall of new revenue.
Although most analysts expect Mr. Jobs will show off the new iPhone when he delivers the keynote address at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference today, what new features will be included in the updated version of the touch-screen device, whether the company will continue to sell its older 2G models, and when it will arrive in Canada all remain unknown.
“Apple plays their cards very close to the vest,” said Van Baker, a senior analyst with market research firm Gartner Inc. “Those are all open questions.”
Since going on sale in the United States on June 29 last year, the iPhone has captured 20 per cent of the U.S. smart phone market, and is a rising global star, accounting for more than 5 per cent of the worldwide market for Internet-enabled cellphones in the first three months of 2008, says market research firm IDC.
Mr. Jobs' stated goal is to sell 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008. Most observers say the company is on pace to sell 13 million to 15 million iPhones by the end of the year.
In addition to a new high-end model, Apple could also be prepping a smaller, less expensive iPhone, similar to the way the company produces both the iPod Touch music player as well as lower-cost Nano and Shuffle devices, said Kasper Jade, publisher of AppleInsider.com.
Canada is among a group of nearly 50 new markets the iPhone is expected to reach this year, a list that includes Japan, Spain, Australia and Egypt.
A 3G device is critical to Apple's global strategy since customers in many Asian and European markets are accustomed to faster Web browsing speeds than the existing iPhone offers.
Those limitations have disappointed some of the first phone companies to sell the iPhone, said Mark Goldberg, of telecom consulting firm Mark H. Goldberg and Associates.
The new iPhone is built with chip sets capable of handling data at faster speeds and batteries with greater longevity, he said.
That's good news for Rogers, which announced in April that it had an exclusive deal with Apple to sell iPhones in Canada.
Rogers has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in building a 3G wireless network, a process that began in 2006, but so far the company hasn't pumped much of its marketing might into the upgrade.
That means most customers on the 3G connection are not even aware of the upgrade, save perhaps for a different icon on their screens.
Rogers declined to say anything about Apple, the iPhone or the product's launch in Canada. But in a recent interview about the state of the company's next-generation network, Jim Smith, vice president of network engineering, said its 3G technology now covers 60 per cent of the country.
The upgrade runs eight to ten times faster than the previous technology and in many cases the speed is the same as fixed broadband over home connections, he said.
To truly capitalize on the investment, Rogers needs popular devices that entice customers to use the new services available, which include video-calling, streaming video-on-demand, mobile television and satellite radio-on-demand.
At the moment, Rogers sells more than a dozen models of handsets capable of tapping these features, including products from LG Electronics Inc., Nokia Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Motorola and HTC.
But it is still waiting for the world's two most popular smart phones to arrive in 3G form: the iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry Bold, which is expected this summer.
“Rogers will use the iPhone as a pivot point to explain what the new 3G technology can really do, said Kaan Yigit, president of consulting firm Solutions Research Group Inc.. “People need a visual clue to believe that this is not so crazy.”
Rogers mobile television service, for example, includes access to Fox Sports, BBC World Service and the Weather Network These kind of features take the transmission of data far beyond just email, and analysts look at them as potential cash cows for the industry.
Rogers is testing the waters with different pricing plans for each of these services, including some fixed-rate packages.
The company reported growth in its data business of 47 per cent in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2007, to $206-million, or 15 per cent of total wireless revenue.
With the iPhone, Rogers is going to benefit from the spill-over effect of marketing in the U.S. and the media hype around the latest product release, analysts predict.
“Christmas will come early for Rogers this year,” Mr. Yigit said. He estimates that on average iPhone customers in Canada will incur charges of $80 a month on their monthly bill. That's a 10 per cent premium to the average revenue per user that Rogers reported from all its wireless customers in the first quarter of the year.
Mr. Yigit also expects that more than half of all people buying the new iPhone will be new wireless customers to Rogers.
“The iPhone could be a switching magnet, especially for the fashion-forward group in their twenties,” he said.
He forecasts that Rogers will sell about 500,000 iPhones in the first 12 months, the product launches by mid-July and comes with a reasonable monthly charge.
source-http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080609.wiphonerogers0609/BNStory/Technology/home
In what could be the worst-kept technology secret of the year, Apple Inc. chief executive officer Steve Jobs is expected to unveil the next evolution of the company's game-changing iPhone today.
The updated iPhone will almost certainly run on the most advanced wireless networks yet available, and will promise customers the ability to surf the Web and stream video at speeds comparable to home broadband connections.
Analysts say the “3G” iPhone will give Apple the technology it needs to become a global cellphone powerhouse, and for Rogers Wireless Communications Inc., the Canadian carrier of the device, iPhone version 2.0 represents a potential windfall of new revenue.
Although most analysts expect Mr. Jobs will show off the new iPhone when he delivers the keynote address at Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference today, what new features will be included in the updated version of the touch-screen device, whether the company will continue to sell its older 2G models, and when it will arrive in Canada all remain unknown.
“Apple plays their cards very close to the vest,” said Van Baker, a senior analyst with market research firm Gartner Inc. “Those are all open questions.”
Since going on sale in the United States on June 29 last year, the iPhone has captured 20 per cent of the U.S. smart phone market, and is a rising global star, accounting for more than 5 per cent of the worldwide market for Internet-enabled cellphones in the first three months of 2008, says market research firm IDC.
Mr. Jobs' stated goal is to sell 10 million iPhones by the end of 2008. Most observers say the company is on pace to sell 13 million to 15 million iPhones by the end of the year.
In addition to a new high-end model, Apple could also be prepping a smaller, less expensive iPhone, similar to the way the company produces both the iPod Touch music player as well as lower-cost Nano and Shuffle devices, said Kasper Jade, publisher of AppleInsider.com.
Canada is among a group of nearly 50 new markets the iPhone is expected to reach this year, a list that includes Japan, Spain, Australia and Egypt.
A 3G device is critical to Apple's global strategy since customers in many Asian and European markets are accustomed to faster Web browsing speeds than the existing iPhone offers.
Those limitations have disappointed some of the first phone companies to sell the iPhone, said Mark Goldberg, of telecom consulting firm Mark H. Goldberg and Associates.
The new iPhone is built with chip sets capable of handling data at faster speeds and batteries with greater longevity, he said.
That's good news for Rogers, which announced in April that it had an exclusive deal with Apple to sell iPhones in Canada.
Rogers has invested hundreds of millions of dollars in building a 3G wireless network, a process that began in 2006, but so far the company hasn't pumped much of its marketing might into the upgrade.
That means most customers on the 3G connection are not even aware of the upgrade, save perhaps for a different icon on their screens.
Rogers declined to say anything about Apple, the iPhone or the product's launch in Canada. But in a recent interview about the state of the company's next-generation network, Jim Smith, vice president of network engineering, said its 3G technology now covers 60 per cent of the country.
The upgrade runs eight to ten times faster than the previous technology and in many cases the speed is the same as fixed broadband over home connections, he said.
To truly capitalize on the investment, Rogers needs popular devices that entice customers to use the new services available, which include video-calling, streaming video-on-demand, mobile television and satellite radio-on-demand.
At the moment, Rogers sells more than a dozen models of handsets capable of tapping these features, including products from LG Electronics Inc., Nokia Corp., Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd., Motorola and HTC.
But it is still waiting for the world's two most popular smart phones to arrive in 3G form: the iPhone and Research In Motion Ltd.'s BlackBerry Bold, which is expected this summer.
“Rogers will use the iPhone as a pivot point to explain what the new 3G technology can really do, said Kaan Yigit, president of consulting firm Solutions Research Group Inc.. “People need a visual clue to believe that this is not so crazy.”
Rogers mobile television service, for example, includes access to Fox Sports, BBC World Service and the Weather Network These kind of features take the transmission of data far beyond just email, and analysts look at them as potential cash cows for the industry.
Rogers is testing the waters with different pricing plans for each of these services, including some fixed-rate packages.
The company reported growth in its data business of 47 per cent in the first three months of the year compared with the same period in 2007, to $206-million, or 15 per cent of total wireless revenue.
With the iPhone, Rogers is going to benefit from the spill-over effect of marketing in the U.S. and the media hype around the latest product release, analysts predict.
“Christmas will come early for Rogers this year,” Mr. Yigit said. He estimates that on average iPhone customers in Canada will incur charges of $80 a month on their monthly bill. That's a 10 per cent premium to the average revenue per user that Rogers reported from all its wireless customers in the first quarter of the year.
Mr. Yigit also expects that more than half of all people buying the new iPhone will be new wireless customers to Rogers.
“The iPhone could be a switching magnet, especially for the fashion-forward group in their twenties,” he said.
He forecasts that Rogers will sell about 500,000 iPhones in the first 12 months, the product launches by mid-July and comes with a reasonable monthly charge.
source-http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20080609.wiphonerogers0609/BNStory/Technology/home
New iPhone unveiled today?
New iPhone unveiled today?
APPLE DEVICE SEEN AS A WORK IN PROGRESS
It's not even a year old, but Apple's iPhone is captivating consumers and competitors in a way no other cell phone has.
It has raised the bar on what callers demand from their smart-phones and inspired a host of copycats.
But the widely praised and wildly publicized gadget is still a work in progress, and most experts say it has far to go before it really transforms the wireless industry. Nokia, for instance, sells more phones in a week than Apple sold in 10 months, and experts say the iPhone's high price limits its appeal.
"The publicity and hype around Apple and the iPhone is hugely out of proportion to their impact on the industry," said Edward Snyder, a cell phone expert at Charter Equity Research.
That may change. Apple is all but certain to announce an upgraded version soon, perhaps as early as today, when Steve Jobs addresses a gathering of Apple software developers in San Francisco.
Apple watchers expect the new version to take advantage of a faster wireless network, dubbed 3G for "third generation," improving what many consider to be the current version's key flaw - its slow Web access.
"It's clear they have to do 3G," said Rob Enderle, founder and principal analyst at the Enderle Group, a technology consulting firm.
But even if that doesn't happen today, Apple's chief executive is sure to talk about new programs that will make the iPhone more like a computer for your pocket than merely a communications device.
And most analysts expect it to eventually become a culture-shifting product like the iPod, which helped change how the masses get and listen to music.
"They've done what they've always done - come up with something radically different," said Ken Dulaney, an analyst with Gartner, a research firm.
IPhone's influence
Even with plenty of room for improvement, the iPhone has also changed the way people use smart-phones, said wireless industry
analyst Chetan Sharma. T-Mobile, for instance, reported that its German iPhone users devour 30 times more data than its other wireless subscribers.
"Every major carrier in the world has been trying to figure out how to launch an iPhone on their network," he said.
For some, it has become much more than a communications device.
"It almost feels like you are looking at the world through this device - the sense of being able to reach through this device and touch all these things," said John Seely Brown, former chief scientist and director of the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center.
"Think when this thing becomes blindingly fast - think what it will do," he said.
Upgrades on display
The iPhone remodeling effort will be on full view this week as Jobs kicks off Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference at San Francisco's Moscone West. The five-day gathering for the first time features iPhone sessions for mobile-device software developers.
The iPhone's future success will depend on these programs, said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a tech research firm.
"We did not see a real breakthrough with the PC until we saw products like Office, word processing, games - consumer-based software," he said.
There is also plenty of speculation on other new features. Many users would welcome some sort of global positioning system and an upgraded camera.
But the iPhone, at this point, is more promise than market-dominating power. As of the end of March, Apple said it had shipped 5.5 million since its release last June. The company, which sold 1.7 million during the first three months of 2008, said it will sell 10 million iPhones this year.
But Apple faces a struggle to meet that goal, which is still just a small slice of the overall mobile phone market, said Snyder.
Still, Apple's iPhone had captured 28 percent of the smart-phone market in the United States by the fourth quarter of 2007 - just six months into its launch - behind Research in Motion's BlackBerry, which had 41 percent of sales, and significantly ahead of Palm's 9 percent, according to research firm Canalys.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle the iPhone faces now is its cost. It comes in two models, an 8-gigabyte version for $399 and a 16GB version for $499.
AT&T, Apple's exclusive U.S. carrier partner, reportedly plans to subsidize $200 of the cost of the next-generation iPhone for consumers who sign up for a two-year service contract.
"The iPhone is too high-priced to be mainstream," Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said. "We think in 2009 the price will be more mainstream. The iPhone is going to be huge. It's just taking time."
source-http://www.mercurynews.com/apple/ci_9527319
APPLE DEVICE SEEN AS A WORK IN PROGRESS
It's not even a year old, but Apple's iPhone is captivating consumers and competitors in a way no other cell phone has.
It has raised the bar on what callers demand from their smart-phones and inspired a host of copycats.
But the widely praised and wildly publicized gadget is still a work in progress, and most experts say it has far to go before it really transforms the wireless industry. Nokia, for instance, sells more phones in a week than Apple sold in 10 months, and experts say the iPhone's high price limits its appeal.
"The publicity and hype around Apple and the iPhone is hugely out of proportion to their impact on the industry," said Edward Snyder, a cell phone expert at Charter Equity Research.
That may change. Apple is all but certain to announce an upgraded version soon, perhaps as early as today, when Steve Jobs addresses a gathering of Apple software developers in San Francisco.
Apple watchers expect the new version to take advantage of a faster wireless network, dubbed 3G for "third generation," improving what many consider to be the current version's key flaw - its slow Web access.
"It's clear they have to do 3G," said Rob Enderle, founder and principal analyst at the Enderle Group, a technology consulting firm.
But even if that doesn't happen today, Apple's chief executive is sure to talk about new programs that will make the iPhone more like a computer for your pocket than merely a communications device.
And most analysts expect it to eventually become a culture-shifting product like the iPod, which helped change how the masses get and listen to music.
"They've done what they've always done - come up with something radically different," said Ken Dulaney, an analyst with Gartner, a research firm.
IPhone's influence
Even with plenty of room for improvement, the iPhone has also changed the way people use smart-phones, said wireless industry
analyst Chetan Sharma. T-Mobile, for instance, reported that its German iPhone users devour 30 times more data than its other wireless subscribers.
"Every major carrier in the world has been trying to figure out how to launch an iPhone on their network," he said.
For some, it has become much more than a communications device.
"It almost feels like you are looking at the world through this device - the sense of being able to reach through this device and touch all these things," said John Seely Brown, former chief scientist and director of the Xerox Palo Alto Research Center.
"Think when this thing becomes blindingly fast - think what it will do," he said.
Upgrades on display
The iPhone remodeling effort will be on full view this week as Jobs kicks off Apple's Worldwide Developers Conference at San Francisco's Moscone West. The five-day gathering for the first time features iPhone sessions for mobile-device software developers.
The iPhone's future success will depend on these programs, said Tim Bajarin, president of Creative Strategies, a tech research firm.
"We did not see a real breakthrough with the PC until we saw products like Office, word processing, games - consumer-based software," he said.
There is also plenty of speculation on other new features. Many users would welcome some sort of global positioning system and an upgraded camera.
But the iPhone, at this point, is more promise than market-dominating power. As of the end of March, Apple said it had shipped 5.5 million since its release last June. The company, which sold 1.7 million during the first three months of 2008, said it will sell 10 million iPhones this year.
But Apple faces a struggle to meet that goal, which is still just a small slice of the overall mobile phone market, said Snyder.
Still, Apple's iPhone had captured 28 percent of the smart-phone market in the United States by the fourth quarter of 2007 - just six months into its launch - behind Research in Motion's BlackBerry, which had 41 percent of sales, and significantly ahead of Palm's 9 percent, according to research firm Canalys.
Perhaps the biggest hurdle the iPhone faces now is its cost. It comes in two models, an 8-gigabyte version for $399 and a 16GB version for $499.
AT&T, Apple's exclusive U.S. carrier partner, reportedly plans to subsidize $200 of the cost of the next-generation iPhone for consumers who sign up for a two-year service contract.
"The iPhone is too high-priced to be mainstream," Piper Jaffray analyst Gene Munster said. "We think in 2009 the price will be more mainstream. The iPhone is going to be huge. It's just taking time."
source-http://www.mercurynews.com/apple/ci_9527319
New iPhone price will rock
New iPhone price will rock
Get ready for iPhone 2.0: Today Apple is widely expected to introduce a zippier version that will operate on both a faster AT&T network, and speedier networks internationally, USA Today reports.
The price also will rock: $199, according to people with knowledge of the matter, down from the current $399 and $499, the newspaper reports.
According to sources, the new Apple device will be available in Apple and AT&T stores, including Indianapolis, beginning this summer.
For consumers, the shift to 3G will be akin to going "from dial-up to broadband," says Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray.
Consumers and reviewers alike gushed about its compact, futuristic design and sensitive touch-screen. But even its biggest fans have had one persistent chief complaint: The iPhone's Internet network from partner AT&T was too slow.
Consumers and reviewers alike have gushed about the iPhone's compact, futuristic design and sensitive touch-screen, released last year. But even its biggest fans have had one persistent chief complaint: The iPhone's Internet network from partner AT&T was too slow. Today's expected upgrade should change that.
source-http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080609/BUSINESS/80609008/1003
Get ready for iPhone 2.0: Today Apple is widely expected to introduce a zippier version that will operate on both a faster AT&T network, and speedier networks internationally, USA Today reports.
The price also will rock: $199, according to people with knowledge of the matter, down from the current $399 and $499, the newspaper reports.
According to sources, the new Apple device will be available in Apple and AT&T stores, including Indianapolis, beginning this summer.
For consumers, the shift to 3G will be akin to going "from dial-up to broadband," says Gene Munster, an analyst at Piper Jaffray.
Consumers and reviewers alike gushed about its compact, futuristic design and sensitive touch-screen. But even its biggest fans have had one persistent chief complaint: The iPhone's Internet network from partner AT&T was too slow.
Consumers and reviewers alike have gushed about the iPhone's compact, futuristic design and sensitive touch-screen, released last year. But even its biggest fans have had one persistent chief complaint: The iPhone's Internet network from partner AT&T was too slow. Today's expected upgrade should change that.
source-http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080609/BUSINESS/80609008/1003
Rogers to Bring 3G iPhone 2 to Canada
Rogers to Bring 3G iPhone 2 to Canada
Today is the big day – Apple’s WWDC, the day Steve Jobs takes the stage in another sure to be historic keynote. Wearing his cooler than thou without trying trademark black pullover and jeans, he’ll present a new toy that’ll bring Apple-nistas into one global nerdgasm. And this time it might even apply to Canadians.
Rogers has promised it’ll bring the iPhone to Canada. Rogers has a 3G network so it can support the new iPhone. Industry Canada is currently in the process of its bandwidth auction which, as far as I am aware based on the Canadian govt. website, will go on for about a month. But once new wireless telecom spectrum is sold new players will enter the wireless game. This may not mean an immediate drop in price but it will almost certainly mean more creative billing and more flexible options – possibly including an unlimited data package.
It’s predicted by industry analysts that competition will be the high fiber diet needed to bring flow to the current state of mobile network constipation suffered by all Canadians. Our Telecoms are full of it and we’re paying more for less than other industrialized nation. An unlimited data plan from Rogers might be a reaction to that inevitable competition.
No Canadian Telecom offers a pure unlimited data plan and that had prevented iPhone from coming here. Rogers doesn’t want you to have one and Apple demands one is sold with iPhone because Apple wants to make lots of money selling content through iTunes. When a 3G iPhone hits the market it’ll likely have the ability to download music and video directly from a mobile network thus overcoming iPhone’s current wi-fi only limitation.
It looks to me like a stellar conjunction is about to align over Canada. This could be the day it’s realized, but it’s more likely to trickle out over the summer. iPhone 3G in the Canadian market with an affordable unlimited data plan. Step one is to find out exactly what the new iPhone can do and Mr. Jobs is expected to take care of that later today.
source-http://www.gizmorepublic.com/portable/rogers-may-bring-3g-iphone-2-canada-5810
Today is the big day – Apple’s WWDC, the day Steve Jobs takes the stage in another sure to be historic keynote. Wearing his cooler than thou without trying trademark black pullover and jeans, he’ll present a new toy that’ll bring Apple-nistas into one global nerdgasm. And this time it might even apply to Canadians.
Rogers has promised it’ll bring the iPhone to Canada. Rogers has a 3G network so it can support the new iPhone. Industry Canada is currently in the process of its bandwidth auction which, as far as I am aware based on the Canadian govt. website, will go on for about a month. But once new wireless telecom spectrum is sold new players will enter the wireless game. This may not mean an immediate drop in price but it will almost certainly mean more creative billing and more flexible options – possibly including an unlimited data package.
It’s predicted by industry analysts that competition will be the high fiber diet needed to bring flow to the current state of mobile network constipation suffered by all Canadians. Our Telecoms are full of it and we’re paying more for less than other industrialized nation. An unlimited data plan from Rogers might be a reaction to that inevitable competition.
No Canadian Telecom offers a pure unlimited data plan and that had prevented iPhone from coming here. Rogers doesn’t want you to have one and Apple demands one is sold with iPhone because Apple wants to make lots of money selling content through iTunes. When a 3G iPhone hits the market it’ll likely have the ability to download music and video directly from a mobile network thus overcoming iPhone’s current wi-fi only limitation.
It looks to me like a stellar conjunction is about to align over Canada. This could be the day it’s realized, but it’s more likely to trickle out over the summer. iPhone 3G in the Canadian market with an affordable unlimited data plan. Step one is to find out exactly what the new iPhone can do and Mr. Jobs is expected to take care of that later today.
source-http://www.gizmorepublic.com/portable/rogers-may-bring-3g-iphone-2-canada-5810
Sunday, June 8, 2008
BakBone Software - Products
BakBone Software - Products
NetVault®: Backup
“NetVault: Backup is easily the best data preservation tool I have ever used. I am happy to say this is one software platform that gave us an immediate return on investment the day it was installed.”
— Frank Migliaccio, Director of Network Operations, Money Mailer
The NetVault: Backup product line helps you meet your data protection challenges by providing enterprise class data protection for complex, heterogeneous IT environments, regardless of size. The key is NetVault: Backup’s flexible modular architecture, which delivers proven reliability and high performance with an unmatched combination of features. This design provides a unique capabilities that reduce deployment costs and TCO by enabling you to implement a solution designed to meet current as well as future needs. NetVault: Backup offers a number of business critical benefits:
Supports business growth and management of complex environments
Reduces implementation costs and TCO with flexible configuration options
Supports application investment and growth with cost-effective scaling
Optimizes data availability by maximizing existing resources
Enhances business continuity by reducing system downtime.
NetVault: Backup provides advanced Reporting options, User Level Access, extensive Event Notification features, and Policy Management - making NetVault: Backup the most advanced data protection offering now available!
NetVault: Backup Core
For data protection, disaster recovery and business continuity, NetVault: Backup provides enterprise-class data protection for complex heterogeneous environments, regardless of size.
Application Data Protection
When combined with NetVault: Backup, Application Plugin Modules (APM) ensure continuous availability of many of today's business-critical applications.
Virtualization Protection
NetVault: Backup VMware Plugin protects an individual single ESX server or a full VirtualCenter while empowering users to create comprehensive, flexible backup policies without the need to either understand VCB internals nor create complex scripting.
Disk-To-Disk Backup and VTL
NetVault: Backup’s Virtual Tape Library (VTL) and Shared Virtual Tape Library (SVTL) options provide high speed, disk-to-disk backup and recovery performance by creating a virtual tape library on disk.
Network Attached Storage
BakBone was the pioneer of many of today’s NDMP-based backup solutions. Our expertise continues with our NAS solutions that enhance the benefits of NDMP-based network backup performance and manageability.
Value Added Plug-ins
Ranging from disaster recovery to device integration to open file protection, NetVault: Backup’s value added plug-ins enhance and extend data protection capabilities.
source-http://www.bakbone.com/product.aspx?id=1304
NetVault®: Backup
“NetVault: Backup is easily the best data preservation tool I have ever used. I am happy to say this is one software platform that gave us an immediate return on investment the day it was installed.”
— Frank Migliaccio, Director of Network Operations, Money Mailer
The NetVault: Backup product line helps you meet your data protection challenges by providing enterprise class data protection for complex, heterogeneous IT environments, regardless of size. The key is NetVault: Backup’s flexible modular architecture, which delivers proven reliability and high performance with an unmatched combination of features. This design provides a unique capabilities that reduce deployment costs and TCO by enabling you to implement a solution designed to meet current as well as future needs. NetVault: Backup offers a number of business critical benefits:
Supports business growth and management of complex environments
Reduces implementation costs and TCO with flexible configuration options
Supports application investment and growth with cost-effective scaling
Optimizes data availability by maximizing existing resources
Enhances business continuity by reducing system downtime.
NetVault: Backup provides advanced Reporting options, User Level Access, extensive Event Notification features, and Policy Management - making NetVault: Backup the most advanced data protection offering now available!
NetVault: Backup Core
For data protection, disaster recovery and business continuity, NetVault: Backup provides enterprise-class data protection for complex heterogeneous environments, regardless of size.
Application Data Protection
When combined with NetVault: Backup, Application Plugin Modules (APM) ensure continuous availability of many of today's business-critical applications.
Virtualization Protection
NetVault: Backup VMware Plugin protects an individual single ESX server or a full VirtualCenter while empowering users to create comprehensive, flexible backup policies without the need to either understand VCB internals nor create complex scripting.
Disk-To-Disk Backup and VTL
NetVault: Backup’s Virtual Tape Library (VTL) and Shared Virtual Tape Library (SVTL) options provide high speed, disk-to-disk backup and recovery performance by creating a virtual tape library on disk.
Network Attached Storage
BakBone was the pioneer of many of today’s NDMP-based backup solutions. Our expertise continues with our NAS solutions that enhance the benefits of NDMP-based network backup performance and manageability.
Value Added Plug-ins
Ranging from disaster recovery to device integration to open file protection, NetVault: Backup’s value added plug-ins enhance and extend data protection capabilities.
source-http://www.bakbone.com/product.aspx?id=1304
BakBone Announces New Try It, Buy It Program
BakBone Announces New Try It, Buy It Program
BakBone Software® (Pink Sheets:BKBO), the leading provider of heterogeneous integrated data protection solutions, today announced Try It, Buy It, the only program that allows users to download and evaluate a full version of an enterprise data protection solution in mere minutes. Unlike competitors’ solutions, the NetVault: Backup evaluation is simple to install and free; it does not require any credit card or purchase order information.
NetVault®: Backup, BakBone’s flagship enterprise data protection solution, is leading the market in ease of use, illustrating BakBone’s motto, The Power of Simplicity. Not only is BakBone’s NetVault: Backup easy to download and evaluate, it delivers data protection software that is easy to deploy, use and manage. BakBone also offers interactive online demonstrations that give attendees an intimate look at the software’s capabilities and how effortless it is to install it.
“I work with a unique environment that includes Solaris, Linux and Windows and 2 TB of data and was looking for a consolidated solution that would pull all of our data protection needs together,” said Susan Cowen, network administrator, Wabash Valley Power. “BakBone’s online demo was a perfect opportunity to experience the software and see if it meets my specific requirements. The demo was informative and easy to follow and showed that the software is intuitive and seamlessly integrates into an environment. It was very easy and fast to download the server software, clients and support documentation.”
Download NetVault: Backup http://www.bakbone.com/products/downloads/
Within minutes, NetVault: Backup can be downloaded and evaluated in any storage environment. During the evaluation period, BakBone provides support to help customers set up the product to meet their specifications.
Attend a Live, Interactive Demo of NetVault: Backup http://www.bakbone.com/webinars
BakBone holds interactive demos of NetVault: Backup every Friday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time. Attendees will see how quickly the product deploys, how simple it is to manage with any operating system, how it scales and how this cost-effective solution cuts back on administration time.
BakBone recently introduced support for SharePoint, full VMware support and enhanced Oracle database protection. Customers can download and evaluate these features during their trial.
“Managing and protecting company data, the backbone of any corporate activity, has become a time-consuming and cumbersome task, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Ken Horner, senior vice president of Corporate Development and Strategy, BakBone. “Not only should your backup solution be hassle-free but doing business with your vendor, including evaluation of these offerings, should be seamless and easy as well. Users can have this power of simplicity with BakBone’s NetVault: Backup; we’ve built it from the ground up to be flexible and scalable, allowing all levels of customers, from start-ups to enterprises, to see immediate results from a comprehensive data protection solution. Our Try It, Buy It program will allow users to see how quick and easy solid data protection can be.”
source-http://vmblog.com/archive/2008/06/07/bakbone-announces-new-try-it-buy-it-program.aspx
BakBone Software® (Pink Sheets:BKBO), the leading provider of heterogeneous integrated data protection solutions, today announced Try It, Buy It, the only program that allows users to download and evaluate a full version of an enterprise data protection solution in mere minutes. Unlike competitors’ solutions, the NetVault: Backup evaluation is simple to install and free; it does not require any credit card or purchase order information.
NetVault®: Backup, BakBone’s flagship enterprise data protection solution, is leading the market in ease of use, illustrating BakBone’s motto, The Power of Simplicity. Not only is BakBone’s NetVault: Backup easy to download and evaluate, it delivers data protection software that is easy to deploy, use and manage. BakBone also offers interactive online demonstrations that give attendees an intimate look at the software’s capabilities and how effortless it is to install it.
“I work with a unique environment that includes Solaris, Linux and Windows and 2 TB of data and was looking for a consolidated solution that would pull all of our data protection needs together,” said Susan Cowen, network administrator, Wabash Valley Power. “BakBone’s online demo was a perfect opportunity to experience the software and see if it meets my specific requirements. The demo was informative and easy to follow and showed that the software is intuitive and seamlessly integrates into an environment. It was very easy and fast to download the server software, clients and support documentation.”
Download NetVault: Backup http://www.bakbone.com/products/downloads/
Within minutes, NetVault: Backup can be downloaded and evaluated in any storage environment. During the evaluation period, BakBone provides support to help customers set up the product to meet their specifications.
Attend a Live, Interactive Demo of NetVault: Backup http://www.bakbone.com/webinars
BakBone holds interactive demos of NetVault: Backup every Friday at 10:00 a.m. Pacific time. Attendees will see how quickly the product deploys, how simple it is to manage with any operating system, how it scales and how this cost-effective solution cuts back on administration time.
BakBone recently introduced support for SharePoint, full VMware support and enhanced Oracle database protection. Customers can download and evaluate these features during their trial.
“Managing and protecting company data, the backbone of any corporate activity, has become a time-consuming and cumbersome task, but it doesn’t have to be,” said Ken Horner, senior vice president of Corporate Development and Strategy, BakBone. “Not only should your backup solution be hassle-free but doing business with your vendor, including evaluation of these offerings, should be seamless and easy as well. Users can have this power of simplicity with BakBone’s NetVault: Backup; we’ve built it from the ground up to be flexible and scalable, allowing all levels of customers, from start-ups to enterprises, to see immediate results from a comprehensive data protection solution. Our Try It, Buy It program will allow users to see how quick and easy solid data protection can be.”
source-http://vmblog.com/archive/2008/06/07/bakbone-announces-new-try-it-buy-it-program.aspx
Norton Antivirus Free Download
Norton Antivirus Free Download
This software is one of the most popular antirus programs in the World . Will defend your PC while you are surfing or chatting, emailing or file swapping. Norton AntiVirus fight against a host of Internet threats. It automatically detects and removes viruses, rids your computer of unwanted spyware, and scans email and IM attachments for threats. Detects and removes viruses and spyware Blocks spyware and worms automatically.Prevents emails who are infectedchecking them before downloading on your email client.
A very popular antivirus software;protect your computer. Has a long time for setup because is pretty huge (around 40 mb) than other antiviruses(Kaspersky have 23 mb and McAfee 9 mb)
Norton AntiVirus options:
- Account
- Help
- Technical Support
- Live Update
- Scan now
- View History
Account will send you to the login page (www.mynortonaccount.com/amsweb). Pressing Live Update you can choose what components you need to be updated : crimeware definitions,firewall,worm internet protection definitions,virus definitions,protection center,security software,shared components and trusted application list. This basic security program include virus protection,anti spyware,inbound firewall and full system scan.Offers you real time protection for instant messengers , scan outgoing emails and all the emails who you receive.
Symantec provide online technical support for this program at http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/index.jsp. You can run a quick scan or a full system control against viruses,adware,trojans etc.Also,view the status of protection categories and manage files dropped in quarantine.The author recommend to run updates regularly because new virus definitions are discovered every day. A plus for this program is the help center:very good organized and cover all the possible problems .Control Center offer you support for phishing,crimeware and pharming issues .
Advantages of Norton Antivirus
- very good protection
- good design
http://www.freedownloadsplace.com/Download-Norton-Antivirus-Free-15917.htm
This software is one of the most popular antirus programs in the World . Will defend your PC while you are surfing or chatting, emailing or file swapping. Norton AntiVirus fight against a host of Internet threats. It automatically detects and removes viruses, rids your computer of unwanted spyware, and scans email and IM attachments for threats. Detects and removes viruses and spyware Blocks spyware and worms automatically.Prevents emails who are infectedchecking them before downloading on your email client.
A very popular antivirus software;protect your computer. Has a long time for setup because is pretty huge (around 40 mb) than other antiviruses(Kaspersky have 23 mb and McAfee 9 mb)
Norton AntiVirus options:
- Account
- Help
- Technical Support
- Live Update
- Scan now
- View History
Account will send you to the login page (www.mynortonaccount.com/amsweb). Pressing Live Update you can choose what components you need to be updated : crimeware definitions,firewall,worm internet protection definitions,virus definitions,protection center,security software,shared components and trusted application list. This basic security program include virus protection,anti spyware,inbound firewall and full system scan.Offers you real time protection for instant messengers , scan outgoing emails and all the emails who you receive.
Symantec provide online technical support for this program at http://www.symantec.com/norton/support/index.jsp. You can run a quick scan or a full system control against viruses,adware,trojans etc.Also,view the status of protection categories and manage files dropped in quarantine.The author recommend to run updates regularly because new virus definitions are discovered every day. A plus for this program is the help center:very good organized and cover all the possible problems .Control Center offer you support for phishing,crimeware and pharming issues .
Advantages of Norton Antivirus
- very good protection
- good design
http://www.freedownloadsplace.com/Download-Norton-Antivirus-Free-15917.htm
Friday, June 6, 2008
Internet Movie Database
Internet Movie Database to acquire indie-film service
Amazon.com is delving even deeper into the film industry, with subsidiary Internet Movie Database signing a deal to acquire Withoutabox.
Withoutabox develops online tools and operates a service to aid independent filmmakers in submitting their work to festivals worldwide and in promoting their films.
Withoutabox, based in Los Angeles, said it has worked with 150,000 filmmakers since its founding in 2000. The Internet Movie Database draws more than 50 million unique visitors each month with its searchable database of movies, TV, and entertainment programs.
The definitive agreement, announced Thursday, is designed to offer a wider selection of films to Internet Movie Database users and to vastly broaden the audience for filmmakers that use Withoutabox.
"For eight years, Withoutabox has enabled filmmakers and festivals to reach the widest audience possible," David Straus, Withoutabox's CEO, said in a statement. "Now, they will be able to connect directly with the 50 million film lovers who visit (IMDB.com) each month."
Amazon itself has been dabbling with Hollywood content for years, including selling and renting downloads of movies and TV shows via Unbox.
Under the agreement, the Internet Movie Database will operate Withoutabox as a standalone entity.
The terms and timing of when the deal might close were not disclosed. As the saying in Hollywood goes, it's "hush, hush."
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information related to movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. IMDb launched on October 17, 1990, and in 1998 was acquired by Amazon.com.
The IMDb website consists of the largest accumulation of data about films, television programs, direct-to-video products, and video games, reaching back to each medium's respective beginning. In many cases, the information goes beyond simple title or press credits to include complete cast and crew credits, uncredited personnel, production and distribution companies, plot summaries, memorable quotes, awards, reviews, box office performance, filming locations, technical specs, promotional content, trivia, and links to official and other websites. Furthermore, the IMDb tracks titles in production, including major announced projects still in development. The database also houses filmographies for all persons, cast and crew, identified in listed titles. Filmographies include biographical details, awards listings, external links, and information about other professional work not covered by title entries in the database such as theatrical and commercial advertising appearances. The IMDb also offers ancillary material such as daily movie and TV news, weekly box office reports, TV listings, cinema showtimes, user polls and ratings, and special features about various movie events such as the Academy Awards. The website also has an active message board system. There are message boards for each database entry, found at the bottom of each respective page, as well as general discussion boards on various topics.
The IMDb website is essentially a free site. All of the basic database information is available without registration and without providing any personal information. However, to submit information or to use the message boards or some other features the IMDb requires registration. Some advanced features require verification which can sometimes require some personal financial information such as credit card details. Any person with an e-mail account and a web browser that accepts cookies can set up an account with IMDb that allows them to submit information and engage in many other site activities. IMDb has 57 million visitors, 17 million of which are registered users, as of October 10, 2007.
Site visitors wishing only to view information without accessing interactive features are able to do so without registration and without providing any personal information. Database content is largely provided and updated by a cadre of volunteer contributors; although 20 members of the IMDb staff are dedicated to monitoring received data.For automated queries, most of the database can be downloaded as compressed plain text files and the information can be extracted using the tools provided, typically using a command line interface.
In 2002, the IMDb spun off a private, subscription-funded for profit site, IMDbPro, offering the entire content of the database plus additional information for business professionals, such as personnel contact details, titles in development, movie event calendars, and a greater range of industry news.
In 2006, IMDb introduced its "Resume subscription service", where actors and crew can post their own resume and upload photos of themselves for a yearly fee. IMDb resume pages are kept separately from the regular entry about that person, but a regular entry is automatically created for each resume subscriber who does not already have one
Amazon.com is delving even deeper into the film industry, with subsidiary Internet Movie Database signing a deal to acquire Withoutabox.
Withoutabox develops online tools and operates a service to aid independent filmmakers in submitting their work to festivals worldwide and in promoting their films.
Withoutabox, based in Los Angeles, said it has worked with 150,000 filmmakers since its founding in 2000. The Internet Movie Database draws more than 50 million unique visitors each month with its searchable database of movies, TV, and entertainment programs.
The definitive agreement, announced Thursday, is designed to offer a wider selection of films to Internet Movie Database users and to vastly broaden the audience for filmmakers that use Withoutabox.
"For eight years, Withoutabox has enabled filmmakers and festivals to reach the widest audience possible," David Straus, Withoutabox's CEO, said in a statement. "Now, they will be able to connect directly with the 50 million film lovers who visit (IMDB.com) each month."
Amazon itself has been dabbling with Hollywood content for years, including selling and renting downloads of movies and TV shows via Unbox.
Under the agreement, the Internet Movie Database will operate Withoutabox as a standalone entity.
The terms and timing of when the deal might close were not disclosed. As the saying in Hollywood goes, it's "hush, hush."
The Internet Movie Database (IMDb) is an online database of information related to movies, actors, television shows, production crew personnel, and video games. IMDb launched on October 17, 1990, and in 1998 was acquired by Amazon.com.
The IMDb website consists of the largest accumulation of data about films, television programs, direct-to-video products, and video games, reaching back to each medium's respective beginning. In many cases, the information goes beyond simple title or press credits to include complete cast and crew credits, uncredited personnel, production and distribution companies, plot summaries, memorable quotes, awards, reviews, box office performance, filming locations, technical specs, promotional content, trivia, and links to official and other websites. Furthermore, the IMDb tracks titles in production, including major announced projects still in development. The database also houses filmographies for all persons, cast and crew, identified in listed titles. Filmographies include biographical details, awards listings, external links, and information about other professional work not covered by title entries in the database such as theatrical and commercial advertising appearances. The IMDb also offers ancillary material such as daily movie and TV news, weekly box office reports, TV listings, cinema showtimes, user polls and ratings, and special features about various movie events such as the Academy Awards. The website also has an active message board system. There are message boards for each database entry, found at the bottom of each respective page, as well as general discussion boards on various topics.
The IMDb website is essentially a free site. All of the basic database information is available without registration and without providing any personal information. However, to submit information or to use the message boards or some other features the IMDb requires registration. Some advanced features require verification which can sometimes require some personal financial information such as credit card details. Any person with an e-mail account and a web browser that accepts cookies can set up an account with IMDb that allows them to submit information and engage in many other site activities. IMDb has 57 million visitors, 17 million of which are registered users, as of October 10, 2007.
Site visitors wishing only to view information without accessing interactive features are able to do so without registration and without providing any personal information. Database content is largely provided and updated by a cadre of volunteer contributors; although 20 members of the IMDb staff are dedicated to monitoring received data.For automated queries, most of the database can be downloaded as compressed plain text files and the information can be extracted using the tools provided, typically using a command line interface.
In 2002, the IMDb spun off a private, subscription-funded for profit site, IMDbPro, offering the entire content of the database plus additional information for business professionals, such as personnel contact details, titles in development, movie event calendars, and a greater range of industry news.
In 2006, IMDb introduced its "Resume subscription service", where actors and crew can post their own resume and upload photos of themselves for a yearly fee. IMDb resume pages are kept separately from the regular entry about that person, but a regular entry is automatically created for each resume subscriber who does not already have one
Verizon Wireless to Acquire Alltel
Verizon Wireless to Acquire Alltel
Verizon Wireless announced Thursday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Alltel for US$5.9 billion, plus the assumption of debt, in a deal that will create the biggest mobile phone company in the U.S.
Based on Alltel's projected net debt at closing of $22.2 billion, the aggregate value of the deal is $28.1 billion, Verizon said. The merger should be complete by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals, Verizon said.
Verizon said the acquisition will give users access to an expanded range of products and services.
Alltel has more than 13 million mobile phone customers in 34 states, including 57 primarily rural markets that Verizon Wireless does not serve. The merger will give Alltel customers access to next-generation wireless services that Verizon is rolling out, the companies said in a news release.
Alltel's customers will also be able to take advantage of Verizon Wireless' Open Development initiative, which will allow customers to bring outside wireless devices and applications onto the Verizon network, Verizon said.
"This move will create an enhanced platform of network coverage, spectrum and customer care to better serve the growing needs of both Alltel and Verizon Wireless customers for reliable basic and advanced broadband wireless services," Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless' president and CEO, said in a statement.
Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon Communication's CEO and chairman, called the merger a "perfect fit."
Verizon Wireless expects to cut costs by more than $9 billion through the merger, the company said in a news release. The cost savings are expected to reach $1 billion in the second year after closing, Verizon said.
Public Knowledge, a consumer rights group that's a frequent critic of large telecom companies, suggested the deal could be bad for consumers.
The merger "raises serious questions for consumer that will have to be addressed through antitrust analysis," Gigi Sohn, Public Knowledge's president, said in an e-mail.
If the deal goes through, Verizon and AT&T will have 150 million of the nation's 260 million mobile customers, Sohn said. "With Sprint in a weakened condition, this deal will speed the unfortunate trend of giving consumers fewer, rather than more, choices in telecommunications services, while giving a few companies more control over the lives of consumers," she added.
Sohn called on the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to closely examine the deal.
Jeff Kagan, an independent telecom analyst, said the deal may make sense, especially for Alltel, which has struggled in recent years to attract customers.
"This deal would help Verizon Wireless grow by acquiring a new customer base," Kagan said in an e-mail. "Not that it matters much anymore, because they are all so big, but this deal would give Verizon Wireless the number one spot in the rankings."
source-http://news.yahoo.com/
Verizon Wireless announced Thursday that it has entered into an agreement to acquire Alltel for US$5.9 billion, plus the assumption of debt, in a deal that will create the biggest mobile phone company in the U.S.
Based on Alltel's projected net debt at closing of $22.2 billion, the aggregate value of the deal is $28.1 billion, Verizon said. The merger should be complete by the end of the year, pending regulatory approvals, Verizon said.
Verizon said the acquisition will give users access to an expanded range of products and services.
Alltel has more than 13 million mobile phone customers in 34 states, including 57 primarily rural markets that Verizon Wireless does not serve. The merger will give Alltel customers access to next-generation wireless services that Verizon is rolling out, the companies said in a news release.
Alltel's customers will also be able to take advantage of Verizon Wireless' Open Development initiative, which will allow customers to bring outside wireless devices and applications onto the Verizon network, Verizon said.
"This move will create an enhanced platform of network coverage, spectrum and customer care to better serve the growing needs of both Alltel and Verizon Wireless customers for reliable basic and advanced broadband wireless services," Lowell McAdam, Verizon Wireless' president and CEO, said in a statement.
Ivan Seidenberg, Verizon Communication's CEO and chairman, called the merger a "perfect fit."
Verizon Wireless expects to cut costs by more than $9 billion through the merger, the company said in a news release. The cost savings are expected to reach $1 billion in the second year after closing, Verizon said.
Public Knowledge, a consumer rights group that's a frequent critic of large telecom companies, suggested the deal could be bad for consumers.
The merger "raises serious questions for consumer that will have to be addressed through antitrust analysis," Gigi Sohn, Public Knowledge's president, said in an e-mail.
If the deal goes through, Verizon and AT&T will have 150 million of the nation's 260 million mobile customers, Sohn said. "With Sprint in a weakened condition, this deal will speed the unfortunate trend of giving consumers fewer, rather than more, choices in telecommunications services, while giving a few companies more control over the lives of consumers," she added.
Sohn called on the U.S. Department of Justice and the U.S. Federal Communications Commission to closely examine the deal.
Jeff Kagan, an independent telecom analyst, said the deal may make sense, especially for Alltel, which has struggled in recent years to attract customers.
"This deal would help Verizon Wireless grow by acquiring a new customer base," Kagan said in an e-mail. "Not that it matters much anymore, because they are all so big, but this deal would give Verizon Wireless the number one spot in the rankings."
source-http://news.yahoo.com/
Verizon Wireless To Buy Rival Alltel For $28.1 Billion
Verizon Wireless To Buy Rival Alltel For $28.1 Billion
Verizon Wireless leapfrogged AT&T (NYSE:T - News) as the nation's top wireless operator by agreeing on Thursday to buy privately held No. 5 Alltel, for $28.1 billion.
It won't have to pony up much cash: $5.9 billion, and that includes cash from Alltel's books. The bulk of the price comes from assuming $22.2 billion in debt.
If regulators approve the deal, Verizon Wireless would serve 80.4 million customers, including Alltel's 13.2 million. AT&T has 71.4 million mobile subscribers.
Verizon Wireless, 55%-owned by local phone giant Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - News) and 45%-owned by U.K.-based Vodafone (NYSE:VOD - News), said its debt will more than double to $38 billion with the Alltel deal.
Verizon Wireless increased debt will delay the resumption of dividend payments to its co-owners until 2012, at least two years longer than projected. That may reignite calls from Vodafone shareholders for the world's top wireless firm by revenue to sell its stake in the joint venture, some analysts said.
Verizon Communications stock jumped 5% Thursday to 38.96 after falling 1% Wednesday on talk of a deal. Vodafone's N.Y.-listed shares gained nearly 5% to 31.51.
Despite losing the top U.S. wireless spot, AT&T rose 2.5% to 39.46. AT&T could benefit from industry consolidation, analysts say.
Verizon Wireless pounced on a chance to buy Alltel from private equity groups that bought the mobile firm last year at the height of the credit bubble. TPG, formerly Texas Pacific Group, and Goldman Sachs' (NYSE:GS - News) equity arm bought Alltel in an auction for $27.5 billion.
Verizon Wireless, viewed as a possible Alltel buyer for years because the companies use the same network technology, bowed out of the 2007 auction.
Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg said in a conference call that he jumped at this opportunity to buy Alltel after walking away from others.
"We passed on (Alltel) not once, not twice, but three times," he said. "We've always believed we were a natural partner (for Alltel) but we took a risk -- rather than overpay -- that there would be a better day. As it turns out, there's been a better day."
Seidenberg added that Alltel has been well-managed. Alltel has continued to grow customers and cash flow, making the rural mobile firm an attractive target, he says.
"Their EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is 10% higher than a year ago. This asset was sold for an EBITDA multiple of 9.2 and today, all-in, it's at 8.2 times."
Analysts say that while TPG and GS Capital Partners weren't distressed sellers -- TPG recently led a $7 billion injection of capital into Washington Mutual (NYSE:WM - News) -- banks that had financed the buyout deal wanted to get debt off their books.
Despite solid subscriber growth, Alltel's interest costs had jumped due to buyout-related debt, says Gimmiecredit.com. Verizon says it plans to refinance much of the Alltel debt at lower interest rates.
Of Verizon's $5.9 billion payment, roughly $1.4 billion will come from cash on Alltel's balance sheet.
The Verizon Wireless/Alltel deal comes just as Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin plans to leave. Sarin, who has expanded Vodafone into India, Turkey and other emerging markets, will step down in July.
Because of the structure of the joint venture, Verizon Wireless did not need Vodafone's approval to pursue the Alltel deal.
Sarin praised the Alltel deal on a conference call.
"The company has performed really well, with double-digit revenue and profit growth," he said. "The opportunity came up during the last few weeks for us to look at this asset again. There is a credit crunch aspect to this valuation which helps us compared to where values were nine months ago."
Vodafone received its last dividend payment, $585 million, from its U.S. venture in 2005.
Vodafone's U.S. Issue
Sarin's successor, Vittorio Colao, could face tough choices on its U.S. strategy, analysts say. Before the Alltel deal, analysts pegged the value of Vodafone's 45% stake at $60 billion to $70 billion.
Vodafone could launch an all-out bid for Verizon Communications. But it's not clear Vodafone holders "could stomach" a takeover, said one analyst who asked not to be identified. Vodafone's market valuation is $166.6 billion vs. Verizon's $111.1 billion.
Alltel added a record 385,000 subscribers in the first quarter, up from 237,000 a year earlier. "Alltel had been taking share for the past few quarters with aggressive pricing plans," said UBS analyst John Hodulik, adding that competitive pressure will ease with Alltel taken out.
More deals may be coming, analysts say. Germany's Deutsche Telekom (NYSE:DT - News), which owns T-Mobile, is eyeing Sprint-Nextel (NYSE:S - News). But Sprint's shares fell 5 cents to 9.20.
Sweden's TeliaSonera, meanwhile, rebuffed a $42 billion offer from France Telecom on Thursday.
Regulators may require Verizon Wireless to divest 20% to 30% of Alltel's properties because their networks overlap in many markets, Hodulik says.
Verizon Wireless is strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. Alltel is focused in the Southeast and Midwest.
With Verizon Wireless' size comes the ability to hammer out better deals for mobile phones and network gear, says Craig Moffett, analyst at Bernstein Research. "Verizon will be able to run Alltel cheaper than Alltel," he said.
source-http://news.yahoo.com/
Verizon Wireless leapfrogged AT&T (NYSE:T - News) as the nation's top wireless operator by agreeing on Thursday to buy privately held No. 5 Alltel, for $28.1 billion.
It won't have to pony up much cash: $5.9 billion, and that includes cash from Alltel's books. The bulk of the price comes from assuming $22.2 billion in debt.
If regulators approve the deal, Verizon Wireless would serve 80.4 million customers, including Alltel's 13.2 million. AT&T has 71.4 million mobile subscribers.
Verizon Wireless, 55%-owned by local phone giant Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - News) and 45%-owned by U.K.-based Vodafone (NYSE:VOD - News), said its debt will more than double to $38 billion with the Alltel deal.
Verizon Wireless increased debt will delay the resumption of dividend payments to its co-owners until 2012, at least two years longer than projected. That may reignite calls from Vodafone shareholders for the world's top wireless firm by revenue to sell its stake in the joint venture, some analysts said.
Verizon Communications stock jumped 5% Thursday to 38.96 after falling 1% Wednesday on talk of a deal. Vodafone's N.Y.-listed shares gained nearly 5% to 31.51.
Despite losing the top U.S. wireless spot, AT&T rose 2.5% to 39.46. AT&T could benefit from industry consolidation, analysts say.
Verizon Wireless pounced on a chance to buy Alltel from private equity groups that bought the mobile firm last year at the height of the credit bubble. TPG, formerly Texas Pacific Group, and Goldman Sachs' (NYSE:GS - News) equity arm bought Alltel in an auction for $27.5 billion.
Verizon Wireless, viewed as a possible Alltel buyer for years because the companies use the same network technology, bowed out of the 2007 auction.
Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg said in a conference call that he jumped at this opportunity to buy Alltel after walking away from others.
"We passed on (Alltel) not once, not twice, but three times," he said. "We've always believed we were a natural partner (for Alltel) but we took a risk -- rather than overpay -- that there would be a better day. As it turns out, there's been a better day."
Seidenberg added that Alltel has been well-managed. Alltel has continued to grow customers and cash flow, making the rural mobile firm an attractive target, he says.
"Their EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is 10% higher than a year ago. This asset was sold for an EBITDA multiple of 9.2 and today, all-in, it's at 8.2 times."
Analysts say that while TPG and GS Capital Partners weren't distressed sellers -- TPG recently led a $7 billion injection of capital into Washington Mutual (NYSE:WM - News) -- banks that had financed the buyout deal wanted to get debt off their books.
Despite solid subscriber growth, Alltel's interest costs had jumped due to buyout-related debt, says Gimmiecredit.com. Verizon says it plans to refinance much of the Alltel debt at lower interest rates.
Of Verizon's $5.9 billion payment, roughly $1.4 billion will come from cash on Alltel's balance sheet.
The Verizon Wireless/Alltel deal comes just as Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin plans to leave. Sarin, who has expanded Vodafone into India, Turkey and other emerging markets, will step down in July.
Because of the structure of the joint venture, Verizon Wireless did not need Vodafone's approval to pursue the Alltel deal.
Sarin praised the Alltel deal on a conference call.
"The company has performed really well, with double-digit revenue and profit growth," he said. "The opportunity came up during the last few weeks for us to look at this asset again. There is a credit crunch aspect to this valuation which helps us compared to where values were nine months ago."
Vodafone received its last dividend payment, $585 million, from its U.S. venture in 2005.
Vodafone's U.S. Issue
Sarin's successor, Vittorio Colao, could face tough choices on its U.S. strategy, analysts say. Before the Alltel deal, analysts pegged the value of Vodafone's 45% stake at $60 billion to $70 billion.
Vodafone could launch an all-out bid for Verizon Communications. But it's not clear Vodafone holders "could stomach" a takeover, said one analyst who asked not to be identified. Vodafone's market valuation is $166.6 billion vs. Verizon's $111.1 billion.
Alltel added a record 385,000 subscribers in the first quarter, up from 237,000 a year earlier. "Alltel had been taking share for the past few quarters with aggressive pricing plans," said UBS analyst John Hodulik, adding that competitive pressure will ease with Alltel taken out.
More deals may be coming, analysts say. Germany's Deutsche Telekom (NYSE:DT - News), which owns T-Mobile, is eyeing Sprint-Nextel (NYSE:S - News). But Sprint's shares fell 5 cents to 9.20.
Sweden's TeliaSonera, meanwhile, rebuffed a $42 billion offer from France Telecom on Thursday.
Regulators may require Verizon Wireless to divest 20% to 30% of Alltel's properties because their networks overlap in many markets, Hodulik says.
Verizon Wireless is strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. Alltel is focused in the Southeast and Midwest.
With Verizon Wireless' size comes the ability to hammer out better deals for mobile phones and network gear, says Craig Moffett, analyst at Bernstein Research. "Verizon will be able to run Alltel cheaper than Alltel," he said.
source-http://news.yahoo.com/
Verizon Wireless To Buy Rival Alltel For $28.1 Billion
Verizon Wireless To Buy Rival Alltel For $28.1 Billion
Verizon Wireless leapfrogged AT&T (NYSE:T - News) as the nation's top wireless operator by agreeing on Thursday to buy privately held No. 5 Alltel, for $28.1 billion.
It won't have to pony up much cash: $5.9 billion, and that includes cash from Alltel's books. The bulk of the price comes from assuming $22.2 billion in debt.
If regulators approve the deal, Verizon Wireless would serve 80.4 million customers, including Alltel's 13.2 million. AT&T has 71.4 million mobile subscribers.
Verizon Wireless, 55%-owned by local phone giant Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - News) and 45%-owned by U.K.-based Vodafone (NYSE:VOD - News), said its debt will more than double to $38 billion with the Alltel deal.
Verizon Wireless' increased debt will delay the resumption of dividend payments to its co-owners until 2012, at least two years longer than projected. That may reignite calls from Vodafone shareholders for the world's top wireless firm by revenue to sell its stake in the joint venture, some analysts said.
Verizon Communications' stock jumped 5% Thursday to 38.96 after falling 1% Wednesday on talk of a deal. Vodafone's N.Y.-listed shares gained nearly 5% to 31.51.
Despite losing the top U.S. wireless spot, AT&T rose 2.5% to 39.46. AT&T could benefit from industry consolidation, analysts say.
Verizon Wireless pounced on a chance to buy Alltel from private equity groups that bought the mobile firm last year at the height of the credit bubble. TPG, formerly Texas Pacific Group, and Goldman Sachs' (NYSE:GS - News) equity arm bought Alltel in an auction for $27.5 billion.
Verizon Wireless, viewed as a possible Alltel buyer for years because the companies use the same network technology, bowed out of the 2007 auction.
Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg said in a conference call that he jumped at this opportunity to buy Alltel after walking away from others.
"We passed on (Alltel) not once, not twice, but three times," he said. "We've always believed we were a natural partner (for Alltel) but we took a risk -- rather than overpay -- that there would be a better day. As it turns out, there's been a better day."
Seidenberg added that Alltel has been well-managed. Alltel has continued to grow customers and cash flow, making the rural mobile firm an attractive target, he says.
"Their EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is 10% higher than a year ago. This asset was sold for an EBITDA multiple of 9.2 and today, all-in, it's at 8.2 times."
Analysts say that while TPG and GS Capital Partners weren't distressed sellers -- TPG recently led a $7 billion injection of capital into Washington Mutual (NYSE:WM - News) -- banks that had financed the buyout deal wanted to get debt off their books.
Despite solid subscriber growth, Alltel's interest costs had jumped due to buyout-related debt, says Gimmiecredit.com. Verizon says it plans to refinance much of the Alltel debt at lower interest rates.
Of Verizon's $5.9 billion payment, roughly $1.4 billion will come from cash on Alltel's balance sheet.
The Verizon Wireless/Alltel deal comes just as Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin plans to leave. Sarin, who has expanded Vodafone into India, Turkey and other emerging markets, will step down in July.
Because of the structure of the joint venture, Verizon Wireless did not need Vodafone's approval to pursue the Alltel deal.
Sarin praised the Alltel deal on a conference call.
"The company has performed really well, with double-digit revenue and profit growth," he said. "The opportunity came up during the last few weeks for us to look at this asset again. There is a credit crunch aspect to this valuation which helps us compared to where values were nine months ago."
Vodafone received its last dividend payment, $585 million, from its U.S. venture in 2005.
Vodafone's U.S. Issue
Sarin's successor, Vittorio Colao, could face tough choices on its U.S. strategy, analysts say. Before the Alltel deal, analysts pegged the value of Vodafone's 45% stake at $60 billion to $70 billion.
Vodafone could launch an all-out bid for Verizon Communications. But it's not clear Vodafone holders "could stomach" a takeover, said one analyst who asked not to be identified. Vodafone's market valuation is $166.6 billion vs. Verizon's $111.1 billion.
Alltel added a record 385,000 subscribers in the first quarter, up from 237,000 a year earlier. "Alltel had been taking share for the past few quarters with aggressive pricing plans," said UBS analyst John Hodulik, adding that competitive pressure will ease with Alltel taken out.
More deals may be coming, analysts say. Germany's Deutsche Telekom (NYSE:DT - News), which owns T-Mobile, is eyeing Sprint-Nextel (NYSE:S - News). But Sprint's shares fell 5 cents to 9.20.
Sweden's TeliaSonera, meanwhile, rebuffed a $42 billion offer from France Telecom on Thursday.
Regulators may require Verizon Wireless to divest 20% to 30% of Alltel's properties because their networks overlap in many markets, Hodulik says.
Verizon Wireless is strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. Alltel is focused in the Southeast and Midwest.
With Verizon Wireless' size comes the ability to hammer out better deals for mobile phones and network gear, says Craig Moffett, analyst at Bernstein Research. "Verizon will be able to run Alltel cheaper than Alltel," he said.
source-http://news.yahoo.com/s/ibd/20080605/bs_ibd_ibd/20080605general01
Verizon Wireless leapfrogged AT&T (NYSE:T - News) as the nation's top wireless operator by agreeing on Thursday to buy privately held No. 5 Alltel, for $28.1 billion.
It won't have to pony up much cash: $5.9 billion, and that includes cash from Alltel's books. The bulk of the price comes from assuming $22.2 billion in debt.
If regulators approve the deal, Verizon Wireless would serve 80.4 million customers, including Alltel's 13.2 million. AT&T has 71.4 million mobile subscribers.
Verizon Wireless, 55%-owned by local phone giant Verizon Communications (NYSE:VZ - News) and 45%-owned by U.K.-based Vodafone (NYSE:VOD - News), said its debt will more than double to $38 billion with the Alltel deal.
Verizon Wireless' increased debt will delay the resumption of dividend payments to its co-owners until 2012, at least two years longer than projected. That may reignite calls from Vodafone shareholders for the world's top wireless firm by revenue to sell its stake in the joint venture, some analysts said.
Verizon Communications' stock jumped 5% Thursday to 38.96 after falling 1% Wednesday on talk of a deal. Vodafone's N.Y.-listed shares gained nearly 5% to 31.51.
Despite losing the top U.S. wireless spot, AT&T rose 2.5% to 39.46. AT&T could benefit from industry consolidation, analysts say.
Verizon Wireless pounced on a chance to buy Alltel from private equity groups that bought the mobile firm last year at the height of the credit bubble. TPG, formerly Texas Pacific Group, and Goldman Sachs' (NYSE:GS - News) equity arm bought Alltel in an auction for $27.5 billion.
Verizon Wireless, viewed as a possible Alltel buyer for years because the companies use the same network technology, bowed out of the 2007 auction.
Verizon Communications CEO Ivan Seidenberg said in a conference call that he jumped at this opportunity to buy Alltel after walking away from others.
"We passed on (Alltel) not once, not twice, but three times," he said. "We've always believed we were a natural partner (for Alltel) but we took a risk -- rather than overpay -- that there would be a better day. As it turns out, there's been a better day."
Seidenberg added that Alltel has been well-managed. Alltel has continued to grow customers and cash flow, making the rural mobile firm an attractive target, he says.
"Their EBITDA (earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization) is 10% higher than a year ago. This asset was sold for an EBITDA multiple of 9.2 and today, all-in, it's at 8.2 times."
Analysts say that while TPG and GS Capital Partners weren't distressed sellers -- TPG recently led a $7 billion injection of capital into Washington Mutual (NYSE:WM - News) -- banks that had financed the buyout deal wanted to get debt off their books.
Despite solid subscriber growth, Alltel's interest costs had jumped due to buyout-related debt, says Gimmiecredit.com. Verizon says it plans to refinance much of the Alltel debt at lower interest rates.
Of Verizon's $5.9 billion payment, roughly $1.4 billion will come from cash on Alltel's balance sheet.
The Verizon Wireless/Alltel deal comes just as Vodafone CEO Arun Sarin plans to leave. Sarin, who has expanded Vodafone into India, Turkey and other emerging markets, will step down in July.
Because of the structure of the joint venture, Verizon Wireless did not need Vodafone's approval to pursue the Alltel deal.
Sarin praised the Alltel deal on a conference call.
"The company has performed really well, with double-digit revenue and profit growth," he said. "The opportunity came up during the last few weeks for us to look at this asset again. There is a credit crunch aspect to this valuation which helps us compared to where values were nine months ago."
Vodafone received its last dividend payment, $585 million, from its U.S. venture in 2005.
Vodafone's U.S. Issue
Sarin's successor, Vittorio Colao, could face tough choices on its U.S. strategy, analysts say. Before the Alltel deal, analysts pegged the value of Vodafone's 45% stake at $60 billion to $70 billion.
Vodafone could launch an all-out bid for Verizon Communications. But it's not clear Vodafone holders "could stomach" a takeover, said one analyst who asked not to be identified. Vodafone's market valuation is $166.6 billion vs. Verizon's $111.1 billion.
Alltel added a record 385,000 subscribers in the first quarter, up from 237,000 a year earlier. "Alltel had been taking share for the past few quarters with aggressive pricing plans," said UBS analyst John Hodulik, adding that competitive pressure will ease with Alltel taken out.
More deals may be coming, analysts say. Germany's Deutsche Telekom (NYSE:DT - News), which owns T-Mobile, is eyeing Sprint-Nextel (NYSE:S - News). But Sprint's shares fell 5 cents to 9.20.
Sweden's TeliaSonera, meanwhile, rebuffed a $42 billion offer from France Telecom on Thursday.
Regulators may require Verizon Wireless to divest 20% to 30% of Alltel's properties because their networks overlap in many markets, Hodulik says.
Verizon Wireless is strongest in the Northeast and West Coast. Alltel is focused in the Southeast and Midwest.
With Verizon Wireless' size comes the ability to hammer out better deals for mobile phones and network gear, says Craig Moffett, analyst at Bernstein Research. "Verizon will be able to run Alltel cheaper than Alltel," he said.
source-http://news.yahoo.com/s/ibd/20080605/bs_ibd_ibd/20080605general01
Wednesday, June 4, 2008
Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System
Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System
Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System - Worth It?
there are several options that will allow you to wirelessly broadcast your music around your home, one such option being the Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System. Are these systems all that great or are they a barely acceptable way to broadcast your music from your iPod, PC or other audio source? Let’s take a look at some of these units and what they do…
First of all, you need both a receiver station, such as the ACR212 Audiocast Wireless Audio Receiver, and a transmitter station, like the ACT211 Audiocast Wireless Audio Transmitter. These units, and others like them, connect using a 2.4 GHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). This helps insure a better quality of sound than FM transmitters but it also means having the slightly bulky unit at both ends. Quality products in this frequency range should not get interference from microwaves, portable phones or baby monitors but poor quality ones are susceptible to radio frequency interference.
The range on these units is typically 100-150 feet (30-45 meters) through walls. This can be a stretching it in some houses or where there is exceptional interference. Connection to a sound source is through a standard mini-plug for most units although there are some that are proprietary or designed around a particular sound source like the Apple iPod. Another thing that you must bear in mind is that the receiving end will need a powered sound system too, such as a stereo system or boom box with an AUX or MP3 plug-in. Headphones generally won’t cut it. Controlling them is also a problem since you will have to go back to the transmitter base station to adjust the player that’s plugged into it.
All in all these units are a good way to transmit your tunes throughout your house but they do have their limitations. So, do you think a wireless system like the Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System is in your future?
source-http://optempo.com/
Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System - Worth It?
there are several options that will allow you to wirelessly broadcast your music around your home, one such option being the Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System. Are these systems all that great or are they a barely acceptable way to broadcast your music from your iPod, PC or other audio source? Let’s take a look at some of these units and what they do…
First of all, you need both a receiver station, such as the ACR212 Audiocast Wireless Audio Receiver, and a transmitter station, like the ACT211 Audiocast Wireless Audio Transmitter. These units, and others like them, connect using a 2.4 GHz Frequency Hopping Spread Spectrum (FHSS). This helps insure a better quality of sound than FM transmitters but it also means having the slightly bulky unit at both ends. Quality products in this frequency range should not get interference from microwaves, portable phones or baby monitors but poor quality ones are susceptible to radio frequency interference.
The range on these units is typically 100-150 feet (30-45 meters) through walls. This can be a stretching it in some houses or where there is exceptional interference. Connection to a sound source is through a standard mini-plug for most units although there are some that are proprietary or designed around a particular sound source like the Apple iPod. Another thing that you must bear in mind is that the receiving end will need a powered sound system too, such as a stereo system or boom box with an AUX or MP3 plug-in. Headphones generally won’t cut it. Controlling them is also a problem since you will have to go back to the transmitter base station to adjust the player that’s plugged into it.
All in all these units are a good way to transmit your tunes throughout your house but they do have their limitations. So, do you think a wireless system like the Soundcast Audiocast Wireless Audio System is in your future?
source-http://optempo.com/
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