Category: Technology

MUMBAI: Worldspacer Satellite Radio salutes the aura of the Maratha culture and pays tribute to one of the richest languages in India, through the first ever 24-hour national Marathi radio channel, “Surabhi.”

Channel number 110 on the Worldspace Satellite Radio Network, ‘Surabhi‘ offers listeners more than just foot-tapping Marathi music, it also presents a slice of Marathi culture and literature in an exciting magazine format that brings alive the diversity and heritage of Maharashtra, informs an official release.

Radio ‘Surabhi‘ captures the cultural ethos of the legendary Maratha tradition and the interests of Maharashtrians in poetry, literature and theatre. The channel recognises the various aspects of Marathi music that has a strong repertoire of film and non-film music with various genres enjoying equal popularity, the release adds.

The channel will also have special shows for Bhaavgeet (songs with ‘bhaav‘ – emotions), Abhangas (devotional songs), Powadas (patriotic songs), Natyasangeet (songs used in plays), Lavani and Lokgeet (folk songs) among several other sub-genres.

Worldspace India‘s MD Shishir Lall says, “‘Surabhi‘ is our latest offering and the country‘s first-ever 24-hour Marathi channel. At Worldspace we take great pleasure in celebrating the rich musical diversity of India and this forms an integral part of our strategy to create unique platforms that nurture regional music and culture. Our refreshing advertising-free format enables music aficionados to quench their thirst for quality radio programming in virtually any part of the country, thereby creating a truly pan-Indian radio experience.”

MUMBAI: Indiagames has announced the launch of its Games on Demand partnership program for Cyber Cafes. This initiative from Indiagames will help over 100,000 private internet cafes in India compete with organised players in the market.

Says Indiagames founder & CEO Vishal Gondal, “Besides broadband subscribers and home PC users, there is a large percentage of people in India who access the internet through internet cafes. With the launch of the Games on Demand Cyber Café Program, we hope to take a world class gaming experience to the masses.”

When it comes to gaming in India, there are a host of issues like software piracy and the high prices of gaming software. Games on Demand is a unique offering that aims to successfully address all these issues. In addition to access to licensed original games, the Games on Demand service will prove to be a new source of income, as well as a great customer retention and loyalty tool for internet cafes, states an official release.

Games-on-Demand is a unique service which enables a user to choose and play from a catalogue of over 300 games without ever needing to purchase or install them on the local PC. Games on Demand features popular international games like Age of Empires II, Brian Lara‘s Cricket, IGI 2 Covert Strike and Toca Race Driver 2 amongst others. New games will be added every month thus offering consumers something to look forward to, the release adds.

Games on Demand is currently available to home internet users via Indiagames‘ partnership with leading broadband service providers like Airtel, MTNL, Tata VSNL, and You Telecom. The service will also be soon launched on BSNL which has India‘s largest broadband subscriber base.

The Games on Demand retail initiative from Indiagames will be supported by a host of advertising and publicity initiatives as well as on-ground events. The company is in the process of starting an online advertising campaign to support the initiative. Currently, the service has over 100 games on offer at just Rs 225 per month. These games will cost almost Rs100,000 at retail prices for legal software. Indiagames has tied up with leading publishers like Microsoft, Codemasters, Playfirst, Atari and Activision amongst others for this service, the release further adds.

MUMBAI: Sony Media Software, a provider of music creation programs for the PC and FremantleMedia licensing worldwide, the licensing division of FremantleMedia, international creators and producers of programmed brands in the world, have announced the availability of American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, two new applications that let users create music just like the stars of American Idol.

American Idol Extreme Music Creator software offers more advanced music- making features for aspiring musicians and singers who are serious about the chance at their turn as America‘s next superstar. Users can record their vocals, remix their own favorite songs or burn them to a CD to share with others.

The software includes hundreds of royalty-free music loops and samples in multiple genres making the creative possibilities endless. Extreme Music Creator also comes with a free Randy Jackson‘s Producer‘s Pack bonus disc, providing over 250 additional pop music loops and samples. With up to six prearranged projects, users can simply lay down their vocals and create a song and is available at a price of $49.95.

Music producer and one of the judges on American Idol Randy Jackson said, “This software is the bomb, working with American Idol Extreme Music Creator software is a great way for anyone to discover their hidden musical talents. With my producer‘s pack you can access even more loops that will help you create your own tracks and remix your favorite songs. Then you can share your new music creations with the world.”

American Idol Jam Trax and American Idol Extreme Music Creator software (which includes the bonus Randy Jackson‘s Producer‘s Pack) are available at Best Buy, Circuit City, Target, Office Depot, Amazon.com and other major retail stores nationwide.

Future editions of the Randy Jackson‘s Producer‘s Packs, add-on loops and music samples for American Idol Extreme Music Creator software, will hit the shelves before the holidays for a price of $24.95, adds the release.

MUMBAI: Brovis Wireless Networks (BroVis), a global provider of next-generation broadband wireless infrastructure systems and solutions, has started sales, marketing and manufacturing operations in the south east asia region comprising of 10 countries.

As part of this global expansion initiative, BroVis has signed a comprehensive strategic partnership with Iconbase SDN BHD, Malaysia, a provider of telecom and wireless products, with regional offices in many south east asia regions.

BroVis has completed its series B financing of US$3 Million led by Parakletos at Ventures, based in Menlo Park, CA, USA. The investment will fuel global expansion as well as product development activities.

In conjunction with this funding and expansion, Silicon Valley Venture capitalist and head Parakletos at Venture Dr. Paul Kim has joined the BroVis board of directors as chairman. The other two board members are , BroVis founder and CEO Muthu Logan, and BroVis technology strategist and founding investor Babu Mandava.

“Fresh investments pouring in would strengthen our expansion activities and also enable us to invest in acquiring necessary resources. Value addition through R&D is indispensable and we would continue to excel in the same” said BroVis founder and chief executive officer Muthu Logan.

The Brovis broadcell and radio-zone solutions deliver a comprehensive solution for telcos, service providers and corporate campus network managers, enabling fast deployment and simple integration into existing networks. NLOS capabilities allow operators to reach more customers while reducing overall costs.

Brovis is getting aggressive in the Indian market as well as expanding in the newer regions. The firm is set to launch a whole new range of wireless products by this fiscal year end. The new product line includes enhanced version of its current product line as well as new product lines like wireless dynamic mesh routers and Wi-Max based solutions, added the release.

MUMBAI: Conexant Systems Inc., a supplier of semiconductor solutions for broadband communications and the digital home, has announced that its CX2430X family of MPEG decoders for free-to-air satellite set-top boxes (STBs) has received the leading product award in the consumer electronics category in the EDN China innovation award 2006 competition.

The system-on-chip (SoC) decoders were developed in Conexant‘s Shanghai design center, which is focused on developing STB chips for worldwide applications.

The award was presented to Conexant at a ceremony in Shenzhen. The 131 entries in the competition were judged by a panel of specialists that included representatives from academic and research institutions, universities, and Chinese original equipment manufacturers.

Conexant‘s broadband media processing business, executive vice president and general manager Lewis Brewster said, “We are honoured that our CX2430X MPEG decoders were chosen for this important award by a group of esteemed industry experts. We remain focused on delivering innovative solutions that will help Chinese manufacturers design and develop products for domestic and international markets.”

The CX2430X family can be used for applications ranging from basic STB functionality to advanced STB applications. The devices include an integrated high-speed data port that easily interfaces to a variety of broadband front-ends, allowing the decoders to serve as a common back-end platform for satellite, terrestrial, and cable platforms, asserts an official release.

In addition, the decoders can be used with our satellite tuners to form a complete front- and back-end system solution. This flexibility, along with the robust feature set, provides manufacturers with economies of scale as they can leverage a single device across multiple product offerings

MUMBAI: In a report on the future of the global media industry Standard & Poor‘s Equity Research Services says that traditional media companies will need to develop multiple content distribution platforms to exploit the growth of digital and wireless opportunities, as well as the growth of online advertising in order to grow their businesses.

In the study Emerging Digital Strategies For Branded Entertainment Standard and Poor‘s Media and Entertainment Equity Analyst, Tuna N. Amobi, explores the intersection of different digital growth strategies for traditional media
companies. While in “Old Media and New Media-Friends, Not Foes,” Standard & Poor‘s Internet Software and Services equity analyst Scott Kessler examines how traditional media companies could and should monetise their
content via partnerships with online media firms.

Amobi says, “If traditional media and content companies want to grow their businesses and maintain their relevance in the ever-changing entertainment landscape, they need to quickly devise and systematically execute new media strategies that are highly responsive to the digital entertainment revolution.

“Regardless if it‘s through acquisition, partnership or organic growth, these companies need to leverage the growth associated with online advertising and video, as well as the various paid content, wireless and video game channels or risk the perils of a continued audience fragmentation across these emerging platforms.”

Kessler says, “Given the exciting opportunities and notable challenges constituted by this new Internet age, traditional media companies need to think big, and think differently. They will be best served by partnering with new media companies with specialised assets and competencies, rather than going it alone to monetise their content.”

MUMBAI: BBC World is now available on DTH service provider Tata Sky.

BBC World regional director distribution and business development, Europe, Middle-East & South Asia Gerry Ritchie says, “We are very excited about our new association with Tata Sky. At a time, when India is witnessing rapid growth and change in the television and entertainment industry, Tata Sky provides us with an ideal platform to reach our target viewer with an interest in international news and events. This new agreement with Tata Sky will introduce BBC World to new viewers and increase the channel’s audience reach.”

Tata Sky MD and CEO Vikram Kaushik said, “It is our endeavour to provide Indian viewers with a world-class satellite television service, offering the best in home entertainment. Since the launch of our service in August, we have continuously expanded our offering to include India’s most popular television channels and a host of exciting, interactive services.

“The availability of BBC World on our platform reiterates our commitment to provide our subscribers with access to top-of-the-line content, in this case, the best of international news.”

MUMBAI: Napster , the digital music pioneer, has announced the launch of Napster Mobile on iMode, NTT DoCoMo‘s mobile internet platform currently used by over 40 million of its over 52 million mobile subscribers across Japan.

DoCoMo customers can use Napster Mobile to access full-length songs and ringtones that can be delivered Over-The-Air (OTA), directly to their mobile handsets including the N902iX, the SH903i, the F903i, the D903i and other soon to be released models in the 903i series for immediate listening and downloading, asserts an official release.

Napster Mobile subscribers in Japan pay a monthly access fee of approximately $3 per month, and can acquire individual songs and ringtones for mobile delivery and download using a credit-based system. Subscribers receive 300 credits per month to procure individual songs and ringtones, and they can purchase additional credits at any time.

Using a compatible DoCoMo handset gives Napster Japan‘s Napster To Go portable subscription customers the power to transfer their favorite music from their PC directly to their mobile phone.

iMode customers can subscribe to Napster Mobile for unlimited access to Napster Mobile‘s music programming features, including personalized recommendations, featured artists and new releases, exclusive music and chart information, and to browse Napster Mobile‘s vast catalog of full-length songs and ringtones, adds the release.

MUMBAI: Intelsat has announced that it placed first on the World Teleport Association‘s (WTA) annual rankings of the top teleport operators. Intelsat led the list of the 2006 global top twenty.

Intelsat is a provider of fixed satellite services.

WTA‘s global top twenty ranks companies based on revenues from all satellite-related sources which includes independents, satellite carriers, fiber carriers, and technology providers.

Intelsat SVP global marketing Vicki Warker said, “Our leadership in this sector of the satellite industry is a testament to the growth of our hybrid GlobalConnexSM managed solutions business. Since its introduction in 2002, our GlobalConnex revenues have grown dramatically and now represent an annualised run-rate of approximately $130 million.”

“We provide seamless, secure and easy delivery of voice, data, video and IP traffic anywhere in the world through bundling our satellite capacity with our global teleports, points of presence and ground network infrastructure,” he added.

Intelsat‘s GlobalConnex services are among its highest growth services, driven by demand for corporate data and voice over IP applications, asserts an official release.

The offering also provides end-to-end support for media, internet trunking, WiFi hotspots, distance learning, and point-of-sale transactions. Another component of Intelsat‘s teleport services includes hosting disaster recovery facilities for broadcasters and other operators, adds the release.

MUMBAI: Adobe has won a Technical and Engineering Emmy from the National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences for its Flash video technology, in recognition of the software‘s role in bringing television content to the Internet.

The award for streaming media architecture and components was announced by the National Academy of Television and will be formally delivered to Adobe at a ceremony held during the Ces trade show, in January 2007 in Las Vegas.

Today, television shows like Lost, Desperate Housewives, Grey‘s Anatomy and Friday Night Lights are being delivered online thanks to Flash video, while the technology also powers the video capabilities of social networking sites such as YouTube and MySpace.

Adobe president and COO Shantanu Narayen says, “Flash Video is fundamentally changing the role of video on the Internet, and this prestigious award is further proof of this technology‘s profound impact on how broadcasters deliver their content.

“ABC and NBC and pop culture phenomena like YouTube and MySpace are relying on Adobe technologies to reach new audiences. Winning this Emmy is deserved recognition for our engineering teams and Adobe’s continued commitment to innovation in dynamic media.”

With Flash Video technology, users can view interactive video online as an instant-on web video experience. Flash Video is delivered via Adobe Flash Player, allowing content publishers to reach the largest possible audience on the web and to deploy consistent, high-impact online video across all major platforms and browsers, while lowering the costs of development, quality assurance, and support. Adobe Flash Player is installed on over 700 million Internet-connected desktops and mobile devices.

Flash Video works with Flash® Media Server 2 to give organisations a scalable and secure way to stream video content, and partnerships with leading content delivery network providers — Akamai, Limelight, and VitalStream — to create the foundation for delivering web video and rich media applications to the widest possible audience on the Internet.

The Technology and Engineering Emmy Awards honor achievements in two areas: Science Engineering and Technology for Broadcast Television, which includes broadcast, cable and satellite distribution and Broadband and Personal Television encompassing interactive television, gaming technology, the Internet, cell phone, private networks, and personal media players