Category: Technology

MUMBAI: US broadcaster National Geographic has launched the National Geographic Talk Abroad Travel Phone.

It has ben designed specifically for the needs of the traveling public. It allows for affordable calls from over 100 countries, with no contracts to sign and free incoming calls in most international markets.

GSM cell phone technology experts at Cellular Abroad in California, collaborated with National Geographic in a licensing partnership to provide this service that works seamlessly across international borders, picking up local cellular networks and providing consumers with the best coverage available.

Unlike other services, the phone number stays the same, no matter where the consumer travels. As an added benefit, the National Geographic Talk Abroad Travel Phone features a dedicated toll-free number to reach Cellular Abroad‘s 24/7 customer support service.

Cellular Abroad president Sebastian Harrison says, “Staying in touch while overseas has proved difficult for travellers the majority of overseas travelers have not been able to afford the security and convenience of a cell phone.

“With expensive rates and little or no technical support, international cellular service has excluded the general public. Now, it is at their fingertips.”

National Geographic senior VP licensing John Dumbacher says, “National Geographic is excited to offer the Talk Abroad Travel Phone to all international travellers. Students, vacationers, business travelers and our own explorers and photographers can now stay connected with this affordable travel phone and SIM card, while they seek to understand and experience our world”.

The National Geographic Talk Abroad Travel phone will be available from next month at www.Cellularabroad. com/ travel phone.

MUMBAI: The total size of the television hardware market in Asia measures at nearly $22 billion

GfK Asia has released its 2006 year end pan Asian consumer electronics data summary. This highlights the trends in the region‘s consumer electronics sector. The report includes data from 13 countries overall including China, South Korea, Taiwan and Hong Kong.

For the first time, LCD televisions are the largest television category, equaling 40 per cent of the total market value, compared to conventional televisions (39 per cent), plasma televisions (18 per cent), and rear projection televisions (three per cent).

On a volume basis, LCD televisions out-sold plasma televisions four-to- one in 2006. In all, more than 50 million televisions were sold by retailers in 13 countries across the Asian Region
last year. In 2006, 83 per cent of televisions sold in Asia were conventional televisions, a figure that is predicted to slip to 75 per cent in 2007.

GfK Asia commercial director of consumer electronics Steven Kaiser says, “The future is certainly bright for LCD screens in Asia. We expect that LCD televisions to continue a strong advance in 2007 and see a regional growth rate of 72 per cent for volumes in the year ahead.”
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Markets such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam that had seen relatively low LCD television volumes in 2005 exhibit robust increases in 2006 as the product gains a solid foothold throughout the Asian Region.

Further evidence of the product‘s vitality is seen in China where more than four million LCD televisions are reported sold at Chinese retailers in 2006 and is forecast to reach eight million units in 2007.

DVD Player and Recorder: DVD recorders enjoy a banner year in 2006. The market value of DVD recorder retail sales across 12 countries in the Asian Region is nearly $500 million, representing 22 per cent of the overall DVD player market. On aggregate, more than 23 million DVD players are reported sold in 2006 in the Asian Region. The DVD player market is forecast to hold steady in 2007.

Kaiser explains, “With the two next-generation hi-definition video disc formats finally becoming a reality, it is not surprising to see current-generation DVD players reaching a natural sales plateau. Yet, despite the impending ‘hi-def‘ future, DVD recorders are actually flourishing in today‘s market by offering Asian consumers a strong value proposition: a rich feature- set at ever-better price points.”

Audio Home System and Home Theatre System: In the audio sector, a China boom is expected for home theatre systems next year when the market volume is forecast to increase by 33 per cent in 2007.

The total market volume of audio home systems and home theatre systems combined in 2006 stands at just below four million units across the Asian countries measured. Regionally, no growth is forecast for home audio products in 2007.

MP3 Digital Portable Audio Player and MP4 Digital Portable Video Player: More than 20 million digital portable multimedia players (digital portable audio players and digital portable video players combined) are reported sold in retail shops. Approximately six million of these devices feature playback of digital video; the number of these devices is forecast to rise to nine million units in 2007.

Kaiser adds, “Such is the pace of technology. The digital portable video player segment did not exist two years ago. Today, video playback is a feature on nearly one-third of all players sold in the Asian Region. We expect memory prices will continue to drop and video content will become even more accessible, positioning digital portable video players as the likely successor to portable video disc players in the
marketplace.”

Portable Radio Player: The market for portable radio players is currently tracked in 11 Asian countries. The market size is measured at nearly $300 million. China and Indonesia have the largest base of consumers for portable radio players in the Asian region, with the total market volume measured as 2.6 million units and 1.5 million units respectively in each country in 2006.

MUMBAI: Hewlett-Packard (HP) India has introduced the HP Pavilion tx1000 Entertainment Notebook PC.

It has what the company calls a ‘twist and touch’ screen. the aim is to enhance the world of digital entertainment and the mobile lifestyle

The lightweight Pavilion tx1000 seriesthe firms says is targetted at young professionals, entrepreneurs, who have frequent meetings and presentations with clients.

They may like to take notes or mark comments and would like to carry a lightweight yet fully functional notebook. The notebook PC also allows one to enjoy the freedom of wireless mobility, movies and music on the go.

The PC is also handy for students to jot down class notes, carry easily within the campus and stay connected to email and the Internet almost anywhere using the latest wireless technology. The Pavilion tx1000 is HP’s premium offering, which combines superior technology with affordability, at an exciting price point.

Offering the technology to help the user “the way he works” rather than adapting his work to the technology available, the Pavilion tx1000 is a must-buy for people seeking convenience with technology. With a touchscreen that does not require a stylus; the Pavilion tx1000 with its twist feature enables easy sharing of presentations across the worktable. With an integrated fingertip reader that allows multiple assigning of individual fingerprints for user accounts and private files, the Pavilion tx1000 is as secure as a safety vault.

The launch of the tx1000 series is targeted to further strengthen the position of the HP Pavilion brand in the ‘Personalised Digital Entertainment’ space. HP India country category manager – consumer portables Rajiev Grover says, “As the leaders in the notebook segment with a market share of 40.5 per cent in unit shipment terms, we are targeting a 20 per cent rise in the sales contribution of the Pavilion brand with our slew of next generation models. This will be supported by an aggressive Go-To-Market”.

The product enables users to launch music, photo and video files at the push of a button without booting the notebook. It has a high definition display with HP BrightView technology.

A mini remote control allows users to easily control and navigate multimedia features and adjust volume levels. there is also an integrated webcam and dual, omni-directional microphones for easy video-conferencing.

MUMBAI: Qualcomm, a developer of code division multiple access (CDMA) technology for mobile communications, has announced the selection of winners for its $ 1 million wireless reach Brew application funding program.

The program challenges developers to create the most innovative Brew public service application in one of five areas: healthcare, education, public safety, governance and the environment.

The grand prize winner is Tata Consultancy Services (TCS). TCS will receive a grant for $ 100,000 for development of its proposed application. The application development team, led by TCS‘ head of advanced technology and applications, Dr Arun Pande, will demonstrate how CDMA networks can help provide specific and useful advice to farmers and spread the benefits of technology deep into rural India at an affordable cost. For the grand prize, Qualcomm will also apply additional funds to put TCS‘ proposal into action through a new or existing wireless reach project.

The other grant recipients include Bandung Institute of Technology, Beijing InfoQuick SinoVoice Speech Technology Corp, BeWell Mobile Technology and University of California, Berkeley.

“Qualcomm is very proud to recognize these organizations and their creative efforts to develop Brew applications that will serve the public interest,” said Qualcomm CEO Dr Paul Jacobs. “The innovative applications they‘ll design hold great potential to enhance the quality of life for all who use them. As mobile broadband services expand into underserved communities, we‘re pleased to support these developers in our shared commitment to improve the way people communicate and access information around the world.”

MUMBAI: The Department of Trade and Industry (DTI) in the UK has ordered that country‘s media watchdog Ofcom to investigate pay TV service provider BSkyB‘s purchase of a stake in commercial broadcaster ITV.

The aim is to see how this might affect pubclic interest.

The British trade secretary, Alistair Darling, has asked Ofcom to review whether BSkyB‘s purchase of a 17.9 per cent stake in ITV “raises public interest concerns about the number of different owners of media enterprises”.

The move reports state is a victory for Virgin Media. It has been lobbying for an investigation. its argument is that the investment in ITV by a firm that Murdoch’s News Corp has a stake in threatens media plurality in the UK.

Ofcom‘s initial findings will be submitted by 27 April. This could result in the BSkyB stake in ITV being referred to the Competition Commission for a fuller investigation. Last year in November BSkyB had purchased for ?940 million 17.9 per cent of ITV.

Cable firm NTL now known as Virgin Media had tried to buy ITV for ?5 billion. Sky says that its minority shareholding in ITV has no bearing on the considerations of the public interest test relating specifically to media plurality. It says that it is inconceivable to suggest that, as a result of a 17.9 per cent shareholding in ITV, Sky would be able to influence ITV‘s broadcasting strategy or policies, including programming or editorial decisions, which remain entirely the responsibility of the board.

Sky adds, “In its short history, Sky has fundamentally increased choice for viewers, consistently pioneered innovations, invested in and developed quality on-screen content, and is now challenging incumbent telecom and cable providers with lower-cost broadband and phone services. Sky makes a significant contribution to plurality in the highly competitive media sector.”

Meanwhile BSkyB could take a hit of up to 20 million pounds if it loses a deal to show its basic channels on Virgin Media. Interestingly though analysts say that it is the other firm that could suffer more in the long run. The deal concludes on 28 February 2007.

MUMBAI: Sci Fi Channel, an NBC Universal network, is teaming up with Sir Richard Branson‘s Virgin Comics to create a co-branded multimedia partnership called Sci Fi/Virgin Comics.

With five new comic book titles serving as a jumping off point, Sci Fi/Virgin Comics will develop fresh properties that integrate the spirit and vitality of both brands. Delivering innovative, multi-platform projects, original concepts will be considered across all mediums from publishing, film and television to digital and gaming.

The announcement was made today by, Sci Fi Executive Vice President and general manager Dave Howe and Virgin Comics CEO and publisher Sharad Devarajan at New York Comic Con, the season‘s pop culture and comic book event.

The first Sci Fi/Virgin titles, distributed by Diamond Comics, can be expected to hit shelves later this year, informs an official release.

“Virgin Comics and I are delighted to collaborate with Sci Fi and the rest of the NBC Universal family,” said Sir Richard Branson, “to create stories that will inspire a new generation of thinkers and dreamers throughout the world.”

“With Sci Fi we are changing the face of the comic book industry – seamlessly developing characters and stories for books, television, online and other media,” said Devarajan. “Together we are creating stories as innovative as the ways consumers will get to experience them.”

Utilizing the global creative and synergistic resources that exist both at Sci Fi Channel and Virgin Comics, the partnership will aim to attract some of the biggest names and talent from the worlds of comic books, television and movies. Sci Fi and Virgin Comics will bring together a multimedia, creative editorial board with members representing comic books, television, movies, digital, gaming, licensing and merchandising.

NEW DELHI: The Telecom Disputes Settlement Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) today upheld the tariff of Rs 5 per channel fixed by Telecom Regulatory Authority of India (Trai) against which three broadcasters had appealed. It also imposed a cost of Rs 50,000 for each of the broadcasters in favour of the sector regulator.

In its pronouncement on the appeal filed by Set Discovery, ESPN Star Sports (Singapore) and ESPN Software India, TDSAT held that the case was devoid of merit, and thus the appellants are liable to pay costs, totaling Rs 150,000, to Trai, which had proved its case.

In a related development, some of the respondents in the case that includes Trai, Indus Ind Media and Communications Limited, and Hathway Cable & Datacom Private Limited, have filed a Caveat in the Supreme Court, since the broadcasters are most likely to appeal against the TDSAT order in the apex court.

While giving its ruling, TDSAT said that the broadcasters had themselves said that 70 to 80 per cent of their revenues come from advertisements, and the bench noted that “at various fora”, it has been argued by the broadcasters that they also generate revenue through sub-licensing and through fees paid by consumers in sending SMSs to the channels.

It held that the same broadcasters had said that due to underdeclaration by LCOs and MSOs, they get only 20 per cent of the subscription revenue actually generated.

The tribunal noted that under the Cas regime, wherever Cas has been implemented, there is no longer a question of underdeclaration, and therefore, data on subscription revenue is 100 per cent.

In this situation, whereas the broadcasters were – as they themselves said – earning only 20 per cent from subscription, the Trai order on Interconnection gave them 45 per cent, which is a sea change.

Hence, going by the arguments of the broadcasters themselves, the case is devoid of merit and liable for dismissal, with a cost of Rs 50,000 per appellant.

The tribunal, comprising the full bench of chairperson Arun Kumar, and members DP Sehgal and Vinod Vaish, made the following observations:

“We have carefully considered the procedure undertaken by Trai for conducting the exercise. We have also considered the justification for the regulation. We find that the approach of Trai in regulating the CAS regime at its introductory stage in the notified areas is fully justified.

“We find nothing wrong in the process undertaken by the Authority. In this connection we note that the Trai was conscious of its difficulties and the problems which it had to face while conducting the exercise.

“It was a virgin field and the Chennai model could not serve as a good guide. The exercise was complex and it was made all the more difficult by the non-cooperative attitude of the broadcasters. In the given circumstances, Trai, in our view, has acted fairly by balancing the competing interests.

“The Authority has promised to revisit the issue, including consideration of deregulation if the circumstances so warrant. The experience to be gained after introduction of CAS would enable it to reconsider everything.

“This being a transitory phase, the appellants ought to have had patience and ought to have waited till Trai was able to revisit the issue. The hurry on their part to raise the issue before this Tribunal was not necessary.

“We also cannot help observing that the broadcasters are either unmindful of the fact that they stand to gain in the CAS regime or they are intentionally feigning lack of knowledge of this fact.

“To say the least, they have not been fair in placing their case before us. We find no merit in these appeals. They are liable to be dismissed. We order accordingly. Appellants will bear the costs of the Respondent, Trai which we quantify at Rs 50,000/- for each appeal. Costs are awarded only in favour of Trai,” the TDSAT order concluded.

MUMBAI: Indiagames, online and mobile games company has signed on the World Cyber Games finalists to represent the brand as part of its ‘ Games on Demand (GoD) Ambassador Program‘.

The four representitves include Reuben Pereira from Mumbai, Sharath Pai from Cochin, Uma Deekshith from Hyderabad and Harsh Oza from Ahmedabad have all been regional finalists and even represented India at the finals of the World Cyber Games.

As part of the agreement, they will participate in various gaming tournaments on behalf of Indiagames, endorse its products, services, clothing and accessories and create awareness about its Games on Demand service amongst gamers. The GoD Ambassadors will blog regularly on the Indiagames social networking service – Tadka Live to share their gaming experiences with fellow gamers.

The Conference agreed that the transition period from analogue to digital broadcasting, which begins at 0001 UTC 17 June 2006, should end on 17 June 2015, but some cIn addition to these, Indiagames is also in the process of signing up other gamers across the country and launching its GoD Ambassador campaign as part of the Program, informs an official release.

Indiagames Ltd Founder and CEO Vishal Gondal said, “So far companies have been actively signing on celebrities as brand ambassadors. Our research and regular interaction with gamers has shown us that gamers are a relatively close knit community that look up to and are influenced by their peers. We hope that our brand ambassador program would inspire other gamers to take on gaming more seriously and even consider it as a career option like in the west and South East Asia. The next Sania Mirza or Sachin Tendulkar could possibly be an ‘E-sportsman‘.”

MUMBAI: The global distribution rights for the soon to be released movie Nishabd has been acquired by Eros International. The movie is directed by Ram Gopal Varma and co-produced by Ad Labs.

Apart from Omkara and the recently released Salaam-E-Ishq and Eklavya, the other global releases that Eros has in the pipeline include Nishabd, Namastey London and the Aishwarya Rai starrer Provoked. All these movies are likely to be released by April 2007.

Nishabd stars Amitabh Bachchan and new comer Jiah Khan in the lead roles. Aftab Shivdasani, Revathi and Rukhsar also star in the film in supporting roles.

Eros will release Nishabd globally on 2 March.

A global player in the Bollywood arena, Eros operates on a studio model producing as well as distributing films across formats globally via cinemas, home entertainment, television formats and new media.

NEW DELHI: Digitalization of cinema is vital in controlling the distribution and exhibition of cinema in digital format and safeguarding intellectual property since the Indian film industry faces almost 40 per cent revenue pilferage due to piracy, according to a Planning Commission study.

The sub-group on ‘Going Digital’ set up by the Planning Commission and headed by Rajeeva Ratna Shah, member secretary in the Planning Commission and a former CEO of Prasar Bharati,, said in its report that going digital would be incomplete if the entertainment (film) sector is not covered. Furthermore, safeguarding the intellectual property rights of the industry would encourage filmmaker to a great extent. The digital cinema system is already a reality in the country and would revolutionize the exhibition of films all over India.

Issues of piracy plague software industry the world over. In terms of money, the industry loses approximately Rs 20 billion on account of piracy directly, on which the government neither earns Entertainment Tax nor Income Tax. digital cinema would help curb piracy in a proactive manner as it will make the pirates business unviable by providing an early and widespread release of films across the country and thus nipping piracy in the bud. Furthermore, as there is no physical movement of the film, creation of pirated copies/versions of the film is ruled out.

The sub-group said the early availability of films combined with high quality images and scheduling flexibility ensure increased box office collections. Early migrants to the digital cinema system have witnessed around 100 per cent increase in revenue collections by way of increased box office collections and thus increased collection of Entertainment Tax and Income Tax.

It said film prints are made from film stock imported from companies like Kodak, Agfa etc. Going by an average of 800 films, 200 prints each at a cost of Rs.50,000 per print entails an expense of Rs 8 billion. As the prints cannot be recycled, it is a waste of money once it completes its life. However, digital cinema does not use any prints, hence minimizing wastage and at the same time saving the country precious foreign exchange.

With the advent of Digital Cinema, niche cinema and regional language films will be able to generate revenues, thus making the local film industry in the states more commercially viable. This will provide employment to local artistes and technicians and other film industry related infrastructural suppliers.

Analogue prints are made from polyester and are destroyed by burning which is a huge biohazard. Digital prints are digital files and can be simply erased from the server’s memory. The Power consumption of a digital projection system is far more economical as compared to the power consumption of an optical projection system. The annual power savings if digital cinema is implemented in around 200 theatres across the country works out to 87,48,000 KVA.

The print quality does not deteriorate with repeated use irrespective of the number of screenings. Small town cinemas plagued by piracy and failure of films coupled with availability of only old films have become economically unviable. However digital cinema will bring the small town cinemas at par to the cinema halls in the big cities as the films can be simultaneously released across the country. The advent of digital cinema has seen proliferation of new and compact cinema houses in small towns and cities.

But the Sub-group said the government should provide incentives for production as well as exhibition of films in the digital format in its own interest as the loss of revenue due to piracy is considerable. Production of cinema in digital format could be on lower tax regime and theatres that have installed digital cinema exhibition facilities can be subjected to lower entertainment tax.

Furthermore, there is need to amend the Cinematograph Act 1952 to incorporate digital cinema. digital rights management/IPR protection is of paramount importance in view of piracy. Many content owners would be apprehensive in sharing their content as piracy is a major issue. Hence, adequate laws to protect the rights of the content owners need to be put in place so that they feel safe to share their content over digital platforms.

As small and medium players would find it difficult to digitize their respective libraries in the light of huge conversion cost, content aggregators could be encouraged and a suitable regulatory/policy regime worked out to make this happen in a hassle free manner.