Category: Technology

Red Herring 100 winners and finalists from North America, Europe and Asia of the last three years were eligible for this award. According to a Gameshastra release, the Red Herring editorial team used a very competitive process to whittle down this pool of 1800 eligible promising companies to the 100 winners of this first-time award. Evaluations were made on both quantitative and qualitative criteria such as financial performance, innovation, management, global strategy, and ecosystem integration.

“Winning the prestigious Red Herring “Asia 100” followed by “Global 100″ award in quick succession is truly gratifying”, said Gameshastra CEO Prakash Ahuja who attributes this recognition to Gameshastra‘s ability to attract the best talents with outstanding ability, experience and the accompanying knowledge that ensure delivery of high-quality game development services for its clients world-wide.

Gameshastra has been involved in game testing and related services for publishers and development houses globally.

The new range comprises over seven MP3/MP4 models ranging from a simple MP3 player to a gaming console to the unique steel-cased MP3/MP4 player, and is competitively priced between Rs1999 and Rs.4500.

The new range from the brand ‘Musiquu‘ will be retailed exclusively at RPG Cellucom outlets. Some of the The MP3/MP4 models have features that include gaming console, DIVX player, an FM radio transmitter, audio/video recording, camera, e-book reader, speaker, alarm clock, dictionary, calendar, built-in equalizers etc and an e-book reader among others.

In addition, most of the models in the range come with expandable memory. The range comes with six months warranty with the promise of immediate replacement at the point of purchase.

The range is PC compatible and comes with mini USB connectivity cables. The video playback enabled models have a TV input option that facilitates watching the MP4 player‘s contents on the TV screen.

Sinha joins in from Spanco Telesystems and Solutions.

He comes with over 15 years of experience in the technology and applications development domain in the internet and wireless spaces.

Venkatesan comes in from Praxis Interactive Technologies, a software services company in the content development domain. Earlier he has worked with companies like Lionbridge and Aptech.

“With the best human talent and resources, we are now well positioned to build further on our strategy and march ahead in the rapidly growing wireless services space in India,” Jain added.

Additionally, only those TV channels – that includes news and current affairs ones – approved by the I&B ministry can be shown on the platform.

During the Open House consultative meeting on IPTV at Trai, multi-system operators (MSOs) had strongly objected to the suggestion that they and LCOs (local cable operators) would need separate licenses for providing IPTV services. Trai now recommends that no LCO registered under the Cable Act of 1995 needs a fresh license.

Trai has stressed that IPTV operators shall transmit only such channels, in an unchanged manner, for which broadcasters have received up-linking/down-linking permission from the Ministry of Information and Broadcasting.

Trai has also recommended that the uplinking / downlinking guidelines need to be amended to make it possible for broadcasters to provide feed across all platforms, cable, DTH, HITS and IPTV.

Trai has explained that since IPTV is not a cable service, under the provisions of the existing laws and guidelines, they cannot receive TV broadcast signals. Hence the need to amend the downlinking guidelines, particularly clause 5.6.

“Once this is done, then the IPTV service providers would be entitled to receive content from broadcasters on a ‘non-discriminatory‘ basis,” Trai has recommended.

However, these recommendations are yet to be sent to the government.

Considering importance of the subject, these draft recommendations are being put on Trai website inviting further comments from stakeholders.

“Thereafter, the Authority will issue the final recommendations to the Government on the subject,” Trai says.

MSOs and LCOs have expressed relief that they need no new license to run IPTV operations. Also, there is no ‘net worth‘ conditionality on them, as is in the case of ISPs.

But the cable TV fraternity has raised certain reservations on the content responsibility.

“This clearly discriminates against the LCOs, because vide the Cable Act of 1995, it is the LCOs and MSOs who will be responsible if there is a violation,” said a top LCO.

Trai has recommended that IPTV operators can stream only those channels that have downlinking clearance from the ministry of I&B. The broadcasters, and not the IPTV operators, will be responsible if there is a violation of the guidelines on programming and advertising.

Mohan said that on a preliminary reading of the recommendations, it also seems unclear how tariff will be regulated in Cas (conditional access system) areas, as there is a price ceiling of Rs 5 on each pay channel. So it remains to be seen how Trai evolves a price mechanism to handle this issue, he adds.

The set-top box (STB) also forms part of Trai‘s recommendation. Trai has requested the Bureau of Indian Standards to look into it and expedite standardisation of IPTV STB specifications to help cable operators while designing their IPTV networks.

In case of telecom operators running IPTV service and streaming content other than TV channels from broadcasters, they shall be responsible for observing programme code and advertisement code.

The programme code and advertisement code shall be the same as provided in Cable Television Network (Regulation) Act 1995 and Rules under it.

I&B Ministry and IT ministry are monitoring the contents relating to their jurisdiction. It would, therefore, be appropriate that respective ministries regulate the content provided by IPTV service providers. Operational procedures like time to keep a copy of the contents shown on IPTV, monitoring requirements etc can be worked out by DOT based on the feedback from respective ministries.

Any violation of prevailing Acts/ Rules/ guidelines relating to content by telecom service providers in provisioning of IPTV service shall be reported to DoT by respective ministries.

The decision of the respective ministries regarding violation of the law / direction / guidelines in respect to content shall be final, Trai says.

“DoT may perhaps seek the guidance of the respective ministries to ascertain the penalties for the breach to maintain uniformity and shall initiate suitable action for imposing penalties for violations in time bound manner” it has said.

Tra has suggested that suitable modifications may be made in respective licenses of Telecom service providers to incorporate above provisions.

The up linking / down linking guidelines should be amended to enable the broadcasters to provide signals to all distributors of TV channels such as cable operators, multisystem operators, DTH operators, HITS operators, IPTV service providers.

Trai says that this is necessary as IPTV is not technically a cable operation. It is, thus, not entitled to receive broadcast content unless section 5.6 of the downlinking guidelines are amended.

The deal with B4U Music will allow TinselVision to offer about 500 hours of Indian and Bollywood music videos and programming.

B4U currently delivers Bollywood music videos, “Indipop,” and music programming over nearly 10 different satellites to audiences in more than 100 countries including India, the US, UK, Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Canada.

“Our consistent investments of time and resources into developing a strong relationship with B4U senior management has been time very well spent,” says TinselVision chairman and CEO Chase Weir. “We look forward to a long and rewarding relationship as we extend their presence and practice in our target markets.”

Speaking of the partnership and agreement, B4U Networks CEO Sunil Rohra offers, “We have been visiting with the TinselVision principals now for nearly a year. This is a very able and expertly guided venture with huge marketplace promise and, truly unique talents for building trusted partnerships. We look with real anticipation for the fruits of our contributed value and their tireless labors in convergence media.

TinselVision has also signed a distribution deal with Shemaroo for download of movies. Through the terms of the agreement, TinselVision has obtained non–exclusive license to distribute, via its online service, about 100 Shemaroo movies including recent releases – Naya Daur, Dhamaal and the award winning Manorama Six Feet Under.

The partnership is expected to expand beyond the initial 100 film deal. “TinselVision‘s content distribution partnership with Shemaroo Entertainment adds to our excitement as we count down to the public launch of our beta online video-on-demand service,” says Weir.

Adds Shemaroo Entertainment director Jai Maroo, “Innovation being an ongoing process at Shemaroo Entertainment, we are always working to create and bring the best experience to consumers across the globe through different formats. New technologies like Internet, IPTV, Mobile and other emerging technologies are just a natural extension of our existing work portfolio. We are certain that exhibiting our movies online with services like TinselVision will benefit the International consumers who can now access Indian movies online at their convenience. This effort will also help us monetize the revenues lost to piracy.”

TinselVision has already tied up content deals with Zee TV and Star India. The US-based Indian-centric venture is also in talks to get in sports content.

The Nokia 5610 ‘XpressMusic’ has a music slider key making music easy to access with a flick of the thumb. Aluminum side panels accent the all-black high gloss finish and large 2.2-inch, 16 million color display of the Nokia 5610 ‘XpressMusic’.

The 5610 ‘XpressMusic’ offers up to 22 hours of music playback and memory with capacity for 3,000 songs on an optional 4GB microSD card. It features a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus and dual LED flash. The handset uses 3G technology.

With a sleek aluminium finish, the Nokia 5310 ‘XpressMusic’ phone is only 9.9mm thick and weighs less than 71 grams. The handset offers up to 18 hours of music playback, memory for up to 3,000 songs on an optional 4GB microSD card and dedicated music keys. It has a 2-megapixel camera and a bright 2-inch QVGA screen with up to 16 million colors.

Nokia has introduced “Nokia XpressMusic”, a dedicated feature brand that makes it easy for consumers to identify Nokia’s growing portfolio of music-optimized mobile devices. Each mobile device with Nokia XpressMusic shares key features that ensure the best mobile music experience, including dedicated music key(s), music pause/resume on incoming calls, support for 3.5 mm connectors and extended battery life for music listening.

Shares of the second-largest U.S. satellite television operator fell 24 per cent in one month, which may make reaching an agreement on a share purchase price easier.

In the past, AT&T has supposedly offered $65 a share and EchoStar has demanded $75 a share, Barron‘s reports.
At Friday close, EchoStar‘s stock was at $39.83 on the Nasdaq.

Citing a person familiar with the company, Barron‘s says AT&T would like to get a deal done quickly because it wants an agreement in place before the next presidential election, when any victory for the Democrats, antitrust experts believe, would probably mean increased scrutiny of mergers and acquisitions.

Also pushing the deal timeline, AT&T has said it will decide before the end of the year on the satellite provider it will use to offer video services to its phone customers.

The report follows months of speculation that AT&T may buy EchoStar to expand its video business and compete with cable providers.

On Friday, Citigroup upgraded EchoStar from a “hold” to a “buy” rating, citing an attractive valuation and its belief that there is a 65 per cent chance that AT&T acquires the satellite company over the next 12 months.

TBO will be available on mio TV channel 55.

TBO features a library of Tamil movies and offers viewers the choice of hundreds of movies every month, with a primetime line-up that spans across movie blockbusters from the ‘70s to recent hits.

The channel also has programmes that go behind the scenes in Kollywood on TBO Star and also features locally produced entertainment shows. Upcoming blockbuster movies in November include Kreedam, Seena Thana 001, Thirudi, Periyar, Arrya.

Highlights on TBO:

TBO Noon – This will have hits. One can see movies from the ‘70s such as Aalaya Deepam and Kudumbum Oru Koyil that will capture the hearts of the older generation with family-based stories.

TBO Matinee – This is an afternoon block. It will showcase movies from the ‘80s such as Thudikum Karangal, Darling Darling Darling and Soorasasamharam.

TBO Mega Movie – This offers contemporary movies from the year 2000 onwards including Veerappu and Thiruvilayadal Arambam.

TBO MD Parthasarathy Ganesan says, “We are very excited to launch TBO on mio TV. Our line up of Tamil movies from the 70s all the way to recent blockbuster hits will definitely provide the right choice for Tamil movie lovers. We are confident that fans of Tamil movies will find a wide range of options on mio TV that will cater to their different preferences.

“We are very excited to launch TBO on mio TV. Our line up of Tamil movies from the 70s all the way to recent blockbuster hits will definitely provide the right choice for Tamil movie lovers. We are confident that fans of Tamil movies will find a wide range of options on mio TV that will cater to their different preferences, “said Managing Director of .

mio TV director Low Ka Hoe says, “We are responding to customer requests for a dedicated channel for Tamil movies. TBO offers a one-of-a-kind opportunity to watch popular Tamil movies all in one channel at an extremely affordable price. Catering to our customers’ growing appetite for variety is top priority here at SingTel and we are also excited that we are able to launch this channel just in time for the Deepavali festive holidays”

As the first new Think brand introduced in more than five years, the ThinkStation S10 and D10 workstations offer performance for professionals in data and graphics intensive environments, such as computer aided design/engineering, digital content creation, oil and gas exploration and electronic design automation.

These workstations further extend Lenovo’s portfolio in the professional computing space and are based on the upcoming Quad-Core Intel Xeon processor 5400 series and IntelCore 2 Extreme processors, the first processors based on new 45-nanometer manufacturing process.

Lenovo is collaborating with independent software vendors to obtain the certifications that ensure seamless hardware and software interaction.

Two organizations highly dependent upon using the latest technologies, the National Basketball Association (NBA) and the AT&T Williams team, are evaluating the workstations for integration into their operations.

Lenovo had announced a top sponsorship agreement with the AT&T Williams team competing in the Formula One World Championship at the launch of the team‘s 2007 race car at AT&T Williams headquarters near Oxford, UK in early February 2007.

Lenovo PC technology was to be used throughout the AT&T Williams team, on functions ranging from ignition checks to race operations and inventory and the Lenovo logo was to be displayed in the dominant branding position on the 2007 cars of drivers Nico Rosberg and Alex Wurz.

The ThinkStation workstations will be available in January through business partners and www.lenovo.com. The ThinkStation S10 will start at approximately Rs 40,000 and the ThinkStation D10 desktop will start at approximately Rs 62,000.

This is in conjunction with the entire range of consumer electronics products at its Gaming Showcase. The event returns to Las Vegas and takes place from 7-10 January 2008.

The latest in gaming technology will be prominently featured at CES, as the exhibit space for gaming expands by more than 65 per cent this year over 2007. Total revenues from the game category are forecasted to reach $18.3 billion in 2008, up from $15.4 billion in 2007.

Consumer Electronics Association senior VP, events and conferences Karen Chupka says, “Attendees at the 2008 International CES will be among the first to experience the latest products and trends changing the shape of the gaming market.

“With the CES Gaming Showcase, featuring top gaming companies from around the world in a central, easy to visit location, conference sessions and other special gaming events, the 2008 International CES is the global hub for the latest trends emerging on the gaming market.”

CES‘ major gaming exhibitors include: Commodore Gaming, Entropia Universe, Red Lion Interactive, Shuttle Computers and War Machine, all exhibiting at CES for the first time this year, along with CES veterans LumiSource, Red Beard and InterAction Laboratories.

Microsoft and Sony will also feature the latest developments in the gaming world at their respective booths.

Bill Gates will once again deliver the opening CES Keynote address at 6:30 pm on 6 January 2008.