The debut of the iPad promises significant opportunities well beyond just Apple. The iPad promises to energize the emerging tablet PC segment, creating a potential semiconductor opportunity of over US$4.1 billion in 2014, reports In-Stat. Other component vendors will capitalize on the new opportunity for batteries and displays, as well.

Recent research by In-Stat found the following:

• The potential unit Total Available Market (TAM) for Tablets is about 50 million in 2014.
• Based on device Bill of Material (BoM) estimates, initial pricing of mainstream tablets should be in the $400–$500 range. 
• Thus far, only Apple and ICD have indicated carrier strategies, and only Apple offers an entire solution that includes content and applications. 
• Positioned between smartphones and PCs, tablets are attracting the interest of consumer electronics (CE) and computing OEMs.

The EU ‘cyber security’ Agency - ENISA (the European Network and Information Security Agency) today presents a new report on accessing social networks over mobile phones, ‘Online as soon as it happens“. The report points out the risks and threats of mobile social networking services, e.g. identity theft, corporate data leakage and reputation risks of mobile social networks. The report also gives 17 ‘golden rules’ on how to combat these threats.

Online Social Networking Sites (SNSs) have had an exceptional growth trend on Internet. 211Mn users (out of 283 Mn) in Europe use SNS, and, primarily, Facebook in 11/17 countries studied. The modern way of staying in touch with business or personal contacts is through SNS and other digital tools. Consequently, the ways people meet, share opinions, communicate information and ideas is changing. With growing popularity of SNS, the demand for instant, continuous access over the mobile phone has increased-i.e. mobile social networks (MSN). More than 65 Mn users now access the social network Facebook over their mobile device. MSN users are 50% more active than non-mobile users, and are estimated to be 134 Mn in Europe by 2012.

Many MSN users also use their phone as a backup device for business mails, personal data, contacts, pictures, and access codes. As a consequence, a lost mobile phone can cause serious damage, e.g. when illegitimately used to access MSNs. Many mobile phones come pre-packaged at purchase, with built in MSN applications i.e. ‘on-deck’ services.
Several stories from Italy, France, Spain, Greece, UK, witness that many SNS/MSN users are largely unaware of security risks, privacy issues and threats related to misuse of the information put online in an SNS and of proper online privacy protection. A number of unique MSN risks/threats are identified in the report. The ENISA report gives an overview of the situation and underlines that in particular MSN users need awareness on how to safer use social networks on a mobile phone to avoid unexpected and damaging consequences. Risks include identity theft, and serious damage to personal or corporate reputation, or data leakage.
Two samples case studies:

• Fake profile on Facebook. A professor at Turin University discovered someone else had created a profile for him at Facebook with offensive features, affecting his reputation.
• Data leakage/corporate reputation. After a 2008 incident, Virgin Atlantic airlines later dismissed 13 staff members who had posted comments on Facebook which e.g. criticised the cleanliness of the company’s fleet and of its passengers. Similarly, British Airlines check-in staff at Gatwick posted messages on Facebook saying e.g. travellers were ‘smelly’ and criticised the chaotic operations at Heathrow.

The paper includes 17 practical ‘golden rules’. Samples include:

- Remember to log out from the social network once your navigation is over.
- Do not to allow the social network to remember your password (this function is called ‘Auto-complete’).
- Do not mix your business contacts with your friend contacts.
- Report immediately stolen/lost mobile phone with contacts, pictures, or personal data in its memory
- Set the profile privacy level properly.

Since Announcing the DECT Ultra Low Power (ULP) Technology in June 2009, RTX and SiTel Have Been Working on the Specification and Addition of Extra Features. Today RTX and SiTel Launch DECT ULP Technology at the DECT 2010 Conference in Amsterdam and Conduct a Demo in the Exhibition Area

The interest in DECT ULP has been overwhelming since RTX and SiTel announced it.
   
With the advent of DECT ULP, new application areas can be addressed. A very central feature in ULP is interoperability with an existing DECT/CAT-iq infrastructure, since this will open up a completely new world of opportunities in which DECT ULP devices can be connected to the Internet or LAN through, for example, a CAT-iq enabled Gateway or IAD.

Other key features of DECT ULP are:  
- Native Internet connectivity
- Native audio support through CAT-iq
- Operation in a reserved frequency band - reducing interference issues
- Full compatibility with previous DECT / CAT-iq generations
- Low power consumption when compared to other low power technologies
- Low cost - it builds on mature and proven technology
- Leveraging installed base and IAD/Gateway Connection
 
Availability and solutions
The target for the DECT ULP technology is primarily Automation & Control applications, but it in general it is feasible in a wide number of other application areas. To facilitate easy and fast DECT ULP integration and product development, we provide a flexible Software Development Kit (SDK), which is offered in three different configurations - Basic, Value, and Premium. RTX also offers system design services to product developers who want to integrate the DECT ULP technology into their products or product platforms. Get a head start and benefit from the opportunities in DECT ULP with RTX.

Nagravision is partnering with Samsung Electronics America to provide TV applications that bring more interactive web services and video content to consumers. As a result of the partnership with Nagravision, consumers will have access to more interactive and compelling applications on Samsung Apps, the world’s first HDTV-based application store where users can download and purchase applications from select 2010 Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray Players and Home Theater Systems via the upgraded Internet@TV – Content Service.

Part of a complete solution, Nagravision’s content publishing tools provide simple application templates for creating and publishing applications on Samsung Apps.

Nagravision developed applications using the content publishing tools to deliver video content from Fashion TV and Travel Wizard. Both applications were demonstrated on Samsung’s latest HDTVs at the 2010 International Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, and they will be available on select Samsung HDTVs, Blu-ray players, and Home Theater Systems that feature the Internet@TV – Content Service later this year.

NuVo Technologies launches its new Music Port Server and Colour Touch Pad at this year’s Integrated Systems Europe 2010, while also inviting visitors to witness its game-changing Renovia whole-home audio system in full operation. NuVo’s new, low-energy Digital Power Amplifier is also exhibited at the show.

NuVo’s new Music Port Server provides up to 4 simultaneous sources, pooling a home’s PC-based audio content, whether in Windows Media Player or iTunes formats, into a comprehensive and easily accessed library, while also allowing for streaming audio from a variety of online services. The Music Port Server incorporates a 320 Gb hard drive and is the ideal auto synchronisation tool for music on a home network. Compatible with NuVo’s Grand Concerto, Essentia E6G, and Renovia systems, the Music Port Server allows any and all networked, compatible computers to become conduits to music through automatic syncing and full system control via the user-friendly, browser-based client software.

Complementing the Music Port Server, the new Colour Touch Pad features a vivid, full colour 3.6” touch LCD display, for intuitive and stunningly attractive control, extending not only the same easy navigation as NuVo’s other control options, but also affording the unique advantages of displaying album art and providing customisation of personal stations with online radio. NuVo’s Colour Touch Pad also offers the additional benefit of zone-to-zone audio control and includes four backlit buttons for fast access to basic system commands.

Scheduled for European launch in 2010, Renovia is a high-quality, easy-to-install and easy-to-use whole home audio system that uses the existing electrical wiring in a home as the infrastructure for delivering audio and metadata from multiple sources, to multiple rooms. Based on HomePlug powerline carrier (PLC) technology, Renovia will offer integrators an exceptional whole home audio solution which is much easier than traditional systems to install in solid wall construction. Visitors to NuVo’s booth can see how Renovia’s form factor allows for a more universally applicable and efficient installation, enabling dealers to deliver a reliable and profitable whole home audio solution to more homes in less time.

Also, on show is NuVo’s Digital Power Amplifier, available first quarter of 2010. This new, lightweight product presents dealers greater installation versatility with a slim, single rack design and selectable ohm rating (4-8 ohm stable). The new 2 x 120 watt amplifier will also appeal to homeowners with ecological concerns, offering an exceptionally high operational efficiency rating and keeping energy consumption below 5 watts in an idle state. A second 4 x 60 watt version is set to be available later in 2010.

The Radicati Group - an independent market research firm - has published a whitepaper looking at the role of high fidelity HD Voice services have in business class fixed-mobile-convergent (FMC) services for the Small-to-medium business (SMB).

As the battle for the elusive SMB customer moves into FMC, this whitepaper looks at how HD Voice can differentiate and add value to the network operators' offerings for business subscribers.

Whilst voice services are the backbone of most network operators, the audio fidelity of voice telephony has not improved in over 80 years. With the relentless drive towards high definition services, network operators must address voice quality or risk loosing traffic to higher quality providers.
 
HD Voice has the potential to change voice telephony for ever. With HD Voice conversations are clearer, more precise and more effective. Studies show HD Voice calls last longer than regular fidelity calls, with participants reporting the conversations as being "more natural" and "more comfortable", with less time spent "deciphering" what is being said. 
 
This paper looks at how HD Voice can both, reinvigorate voice telephony, and how it can transform the role of VoIP from a "toll-evasion" option to a real value-added service. Ultimately, this paper looks to answer how network operators can capitalise on the $103 billion dollar opportunity of high fidelity, value-added VoIP services.

read the whitepaper.

communigate hd voice.pdf (424,97 kb)