Category: Applications

MUMBAI: US wireless network operator Verizon Wireless is giving its customers a front row seat to the music based reality show Rock Star: Supernoa which airs in the US on CBS.

In India, the show airs on Star World.

Verizon Wireless customers can not only help choose the next lead singer of a newly formed group of former members from some of the most acclaimed American rock bands – including Tommy Lee (Motley Crüe), Jason Newsted (Metallica) and Gilby Clarke (Guns N’ Roses) – but they can also V Cast video performances from the show, V Cast music downloads, ringtones, ringback tones and wallpaper.

For the uninitiated Rock Star: Supenova is produced by reality TV guru Mark Burnett. It is a reality show that combines the world of rock music with a relationship-style unscripted drama performance competition. The lives of the contestants will be broadcast twice a week throughout the series from a Hollywood Hills mansion. The winner will front a new rock group Supernova.

Verizon Wireless V Cast customers can catch the latest action from the show with video content on their V Cast-enabled phones. Fans can watch musical performances, behind the scenes footage and eliminated performer interviews, as well as news coverage of post-show interviews. Customers also can check out each contestant’s performance from every show by visiting the V CAST Showcase Channel in the Entertainment aisle on V CAST-enabled phones.

Immediately following every show, Verizon Wireless customers with V Cast music-enabled phones can download the full song of each contestant’s performance to their phone. Customers can also get ring tones and Ringback Tones of these performances, plus the original versions of the songs by the original artists, from the V Cast Music catalogue.

V Cast will also feature the latest in music from the show in V Cast Music. This includes contestants’ cover performances and full music downloads. Verizon Wireless’ V Cast Music is the world’s most comprehensive, over-the-air mobile music download service with more than one million songs available for download.

Verizon Wireless customers can also purchase ringtones and Ringback Tones to personalise their phones from a selection of music from the show with the VZW Tones Deluxe application on select Get It Now-enabled phones. Customers can also choose from a variety of “ROCK STAR: SUPERNOVA” wallpaper options by visiting getPIX on their phone, selecting featured PIX and then Rock Star Ring Tones and Graphics on Get It Now-enabled phones and purchasing select content.

Verizon Wireless customers with text messaging-capable phones can vote for their favourite contestant each Tuesday night following the performance show. To vote, Verizon Wireless customers send the text message with the word “VOTE” to the ROCK plus the number for their favorite contestant

MUMBAI: Samsung India has unveiled a new line of the World’s slimmest mobile phones with the launch of The Ultra Edition Series in India. The company claims this Ultra Edition transcends the current market offering by presenting consumers with unparalleled breakthroughs in technology while retaining simplicity of use.

The first model to be launched within the series is ‘The Ultra Edition 6.9’. Made with fiberglass re-infused plastic, the phone is a marvel in just 6.9mm thickness, packing along with it a 2 megapixel camera, MP3 Player, Direct TV Out function, 80 MB memory apart from a host of other features.
 
Ultra Edition 12.9 (D900) – The slimmest slider phone and the Ultra Edition 9.9 (D830) – The slimmest clamshell phone will be launched in the subsequent month.

Samsung says that the Ultra Edition series illustrates its sensitivity to consumer needs by delivering mobile phones with deceptively discreet but stylish exteriors while embedding world leading technology features inside. This path breaking slimness coupled with rich multimedia capabilities in The Ultra Edition phones is a result of Smart Surface Mounting Technology (SSMT) pioneered by Samsung worldwide.

The Ultra Edition phones have been constructed using Titanium, Magnesium and Fibreglass re-infused plastic to impart the solid strength to these Ultra Thin breakthroughs, basis which these are made to pass strict proprietary tests to certify each product’s durability.

Samsung India senior VP Ihn-Chul Chung said, “Samsung’s foray into Ultra Slim phones is part of the company’s aggressive global strategy to take on the leadership position in the mobile phone market. Understanding that each consumer has different needs Samsung has facilitated convergence in mobile communication with a rapid pace of technological advancement and aesthetic design”

Samsung india MD HCRyu said, “India is a very critical market for Samsung and the launch of The Ultra Slim Series in India is a testimony to our commitment to meet the growing aspirations of consumers for sleek phones that accentuate their personality without compromising on premium multimedia capabilities”

Samsung says that the Ultra Edition 6.9 (X820) is its commitment to create the slimmest and lightest product in the market today. Weighing a mere 66 grams and measuring a slim 6.9mm depth, the lightweight Ultra Edition 6.9 is today’s definitive tool to help users stay connected, take pictures with the 2 megapixel camera, or enjoy their favourite tunes with the music player. The Ultra Edition 6.9 balances slim elegance with a functional keypad and tops off its supreme design with a beautifully beveled cut surface for a natural grip.

Fiberglass-infused plastic is also used to increase durability to protect the features that are compressed into the 6.9mm frame using the Smart Surface Mounting Technology (SSMT).

Samsung claims that the Ultra Edition 9.9 (D830) raises the bar in slimness and design of clamshell handsets. The company says that the 9.9 mm ultra slim clamshell is the result of Samsung’s constant efforts to go above and beyond the boundaries of form and function. This lightweight mobile comes outfitted with a 2 megapixel camera to capture those special moments wherever the customer goes.

The Ultra Edition 12.9 offers the latest in multimedia technology with premium slide-up design for business professionals. The 12.9mm slide-up is the thinnest slider ever designed to come equipped with a powerful 3.13 megapixel camera — leading the 3 megapixel camera phone trend in the global market this year. Unique and dynamic user interfaces enhance user’s mobile experience.

The main screen will reflect networks and call status by displaying animated graphics to alert users of missed calls or unread messages, and imported documents can be viewed on the vivid 262K color screen. Users can also enhance the multimedia experience with the Bluetooth stereo headset. Whatever your desires may be, the Ultra Edition 12.9 will “slide up” next to the customer for his/her‘s next command.

MUMBAI: US broadcaster MTV has announced that Courtney William Holt is the group’s executive VP of digital music and media.

A recognised expert in the convergence of new media, music and marketing, Holt will oversee digital initiatives for MTV‘s Music and Logo Group, including the MTV: Music Television, VH1 and CMT music brands; Logo, the network for the LGBT audience; and Urge, the digital music service recently launched to strong industry support.

Holt will partner with the teams who direct the day-to-day operations of each brand’s online and wireless properties such as MTV’s Overdrive, VH1’s VSpot, mtvU’s Uber and CMT’s soon-to-launch Loaded.

Holt joins MTV Networks from Interscope Geffen A&M, where he was executive vice president of new media, creative and strategic marketing. At Interscope Geffen A&M, Holt embraced emerging technology to break new marketing ground, galvanizing communities of fans around top musical artists.

At MTV, Holt will be responsible for continuing to expand the reach of MTV Networks’ premier music brands, engaging audiences across a spectrum of touchpoints – on air, online, on the handset and through its new digital music service.

MTV US president Van Toffler says, “It’s only fitting to have a creative music executive like Courtney – who started his career producing videos that appeared on our channels – join our stable of talent. Courtney’s background and experience is a perfect fit for our brands, which deliver innovative short- and long-form music entertainment that connects with our audience on many screens.”

MUMBAI: UK pay TV service provider BSkyB has launched free broadband for Sky customers. The company says that the launch sets new standards in quality, ease and savings.

Unveiling its new broadband internet access service, Sky Broadband, at an event for analysts and investors the Company disclosed some information:

Operating and Financial outlook
• Pay-TV business on track to achieve 2010 targets
• Clear strategy to build a scale broadband customer base, targeting revenues from high growth opportunities in online advertising, search and content and increasing penetration of additional products
• Anticipated investment of ?400 million of EBIT to be invested over the next three years
• Broadband expected to be earnings enhancing in the year to 30 June 2010 independent of any Pay-TV benefits
• Capital expenditure of approximately ?250 million in first two years
• Targetting broadband ROCE of 15 per cent for the year ended 2011 including initial cost of Easynet acquisition
• Progressive dividend policy to be maintained across investment phase.

BSkyB CEO James Murdoch said, “Sky Broadband is a compelling product which rewards our 8 million customers with a quality service offering flexibility and great value. Sky is ideally equipped to enter the large and growing markets of broadband and telephony and by pushing the boundaries of the home entertainment market, we will help our customers realise the full potential from technological convergence.

“The business case is clear; we believe our investment will enhance top-line growth, be earnings enhancing from 2010 and with the benefits of scale, deliver increasingly attractive returns thereafter whilst offering substantial savings and compelling value to customers. This is a transformational new initiative for Sky.”

MUMBAI: The direct-to-home Dish TV has added Walt Disney movies to its movie-on-demand (Mod) offering besides providing Bollywood movies.

For this, DishTV has entered into an agreement with the international television distribution arm of The Walt Disney Company -Buena Vista International Television-Asia Pacific (BVITV-AP) to air the latest blockbuster movies on its value added service.

Subscribers of the Mod pay-per-view service will have access to a slate of box office hit features from Walt Disney Pictures, Touchstone Pictures, Miramax and Jerry Bruckheimer Films including The Chronicles of Narnia: The Lion, The Witch and The Wardrobe, Disney‘s highest grossing film to date, Casanova, Cinderella Man, Herbie: Fully Loaded, Dark Water, and Flight Plan, informs an official release.

Speaking about the tie-up, Dish TV CEO Sunil Khanna said, “Strategic alliances of this magnitude and nature are very important for any operator in any market. We are happy to tie up with BVITV at a juncture when the Mod services for Hindi movies has already been launched and now Dish TV is all set to launch the same service for English movies as well. With this move, we will be able to offer this service to more than 1.2 million subscribers of Dish TV spread across the country”.

The movie can be ordered through SMS, phone or by logging on to www.dishtvindia.in. The consumer can watch the movie for 24 hours at his/her own convenience at a cost of Rs. 50 per movie.

MUMBAI: French space agency Cnes, telecom firm Orange France, and communications solutions provider Alcatel have announced the selection of Toulouse and the Midi-Pyrenees Region in France for the first trial of a system that is central to Alcatel’s “Unlimited Mobile TV” solution.

This trail was outside the laboratories of the main technical characteristics of the new mobile broadcasting solution over a hybrid satellite and terrestrial transmission system using S-band. It is preliminary to the research and development efforts for the terrestrial aspects of the project, made possible with support from the French Industrial Innovation Agency.

The Cnes financed and oversaw the design and deployment of the demonstrator, set the trial schedule, and is leading the trial; Orange, the leader in mobile broadcasting, is providing terrestrial repeater sites and contributing its expertise for analyzing results; Alcatel is conducting all trial measurements and preparing the result analysis; in addition, Eutelsat and SES Astra are supplying the satellite resources needed for feeding terrestrial repeaters.

The trial was initially scheduled to continue through September 2006. Based on initial results, it has been decided to extend the technical trial through the end of 2006. As part of this extended trial period, Eutelsat will partner with Cnes, Orange France, and Alcatel in order to pursue the validation of the technical choices of the hybrid satellite and terrestrial broadcasting system to provide S-band services.

Mobile Television Forum president Janine Langlois-Glandier says, “The Mobile Television Forum recently declared its support for the adoption of standards which are widely approved in Europe and which guarantee interoperability, such as the DVB-H standard and its evolution in the S-band. We are pleased that a trial using the S-band solution will be conducted in Toulouse by Cnes with Orange France and Alcatel, because we believe that this solution will assure consistency that will be beneficial for France and Europe as a whole.”

The trial is part of permanent ongoing projects being conducted by Cnes on space applications for the consumer market, and part of continuing preparatory work being conducted jointly by Cnes and Alcatel on architectural concepts and the feasibility of a variety of technical alternatives for a hybrid satellite and terrestrial system for mobile broadcasting.

The purpose of this trial is to provide a technical assessment, to supplement ongoing laboratory work, of certain key parameters of hybrid satellite and terrestrial S-band broadcasting, such as the impact of wave form on transmission quality, link budget, antenna diversity, error-correcting codes, and frequency sharing for satellite and terrestrial elements of the solution.

The demonstrator includes all elements of the proposed solution. The satellite is simulated using an S-band transmitter on board a helicopter at high altitude. The system is completed by terrestrial repeaters installed in ten or so locations belonging to Orange France, the mobile telecommunications operator, alongside its GSM and UMTS service transmitters. Lastly, a test terminal and instruments on board a vehicle are used to measure and record the signal in real time.

The demonstrator covers southeastern Toulouse and the suburbs, from downtown to Castanet Tolosan and St Orens, including the Canal Technology Park and Rangueil. The tests will also be conducted outside of Toulouse and its suburbs, in order to evaluate reception conditions in population centers of variable size, simulating complete coverage within mainland France

MUMBAI: National Geographic in the US has created a music initiative that offers consumers the soundtrack to the world, from traditional roots music to unexpected hybrids from the furthest reaches of the globe.

National Geographic World Music (worldmusic.nationalgeographic.com) showcases international artists and musical performances in an interactive and immersive online environment.

In supporting National Geographic’s (NGC) core aim of inspiring people to care about the planet, the site uses the language of music as a medium to tell the stories of the world.

From Morocco to Indonesia, New Zealand to Sweden, Cuba to the US and Senegal, National Geographic World Music offers fans the chance to discover music by different artists, regions and genres. The site also provides rich context for music through NGC‘s assets that include videos, maps, photos and features from its magazines, and other editorial platforms. Searches are enabled via artist, genre, country and region.

Featured artists include:

– Tinariwen: These Malian guitar-slingers are former Tuareg rebels who put down their guns, picked up guitars and changed the face of African rock ’n’ roll.

– Sidestepper: This Anglo-Colombian collaboration is a mash-up of 21st-century salsa, cumbia, vallenato and drum ’n’ bass, direct from the developing world.

– Seu Jorge: This Brazilian crooner made waves when he gave David Bowie classics a smooth, samba makeover.

Musician David Beal has been working on the launch of National Geographic World Music for the past year. He says, “People come to National Geographic to read books and magazines, to watch films and television, to shop and to explore nationalgeographic.com, but they’ve never truly had a pure listening experience, until now.

“By exposing these incredible artists to the National Geographic audience, they’ll hopefully begin to find a larger audience and receive the recognition they deserve.”

National Geographic World Music is programmed by music experts under the supervision of Tom Pryor, former editor of Global Rhythm magazine. The Web site will feature the best artists, innovative music and emerging trends worldwide, allowing users a comprehensive experience. It will also feature guest DJs and their recommended play lists. With partner Calabash, National Geographic World Music makes thousands of tracks available for discovery as well as for purchase at 99 cents per MP3 download. Other strategic partners include LinkTV for video, and Afropop Worldwide and Global Rhythm for editorial and curatorial content.

National Geographic digital media VP, content development and operations Betsy Scolnik says, “World music is a natural extension of nationalgeographic.com’s rich multimedia experience that entertains, informs and engages consumers who are as passionate about the world’s cultures and the environment as we are. World music fans around the world will be able to listen and learn in one digital experience.”

MUMBAI:There seems to be no end to the thrust and parry going on over the DTH airwaves. Close on the heels of Dish TV wresting a favourable decision against Star India, Tata Sky has moved the Telecom Disputes Settlement And Appellate Tribunal (TDSAT) — against what it terms as Zee‘s exhorbitatnt terms for providing its network channels to its still-in-the-pipeline DTH service
 
The petition by Tata Sky before the appellate tribunal makes Zee Turner Ltd, Zee Telefilms Ltd,Turner International India and Dish‘s managing company ASC Enterprises LTD as party to the case.

The Tata Sky petition alleges that the Zee Group has denied supply of Zee Turner bouquet of channels to the former‘s yet-to-be-launched DTH service under reasonable terms.

The petitioner has sought “to obtain appropriate direction for the signals of the channels,” alleging that respondent Zee Turner has quoted unreasonable terms for supply of its signals to Tata Sky.

Contacted by Indiantelevision.com, a senior executive at Dish TV today refrained from commenting on the issue, saying, “We have yet not received any direction from TDSAT.”

The disputes tribunal has given the respondents three days from the day they receive an official intimation to file its replies.The next date of hearing is 25 July 2006.

As per regulatory norms, all content should be made available to all delivery platforms on a non-discriminatory basis.

Last week, the tribunal had delivered a verdict laying down benchmark rate for channel prices for DTH platforms, while directing Star to make available its channels to Dish TV.

Main respondent Zee Turner is a 74:26 distribution joint venture between Zee Telefilms and Time Warner company Turner International India.

The cable pricing of the two Zee-Turner bouquets is Rs 83.65 plus service tax. Zee-Turner‘s bouquet one comprises Zee TV, Zee Cinema, Zee Movies, Zee English, CNN, Cartoon Network, CNBC, Trendz, Reality TV, Zee Marathi, Zee Punjabi, Zee Bangla and Zee Gujarati and is priced at Rs 58.85 per subscriber/per month. The second bouquet carries HBO, Vh1, Pogo, Zee Business and Awaaz, which is available at Rs 25 per subscriber/per month.

Tata Sky‘s complaint before TDSAT is that Zee is seeking the same pricing terms for supplying its channels to its DTH service as is its cable rates.

In what manner TDSAT responds to the Tata Sky complaint will be watched with close interest. After all, in its earlier order in favour of Dish TV, TDSAT, while directing the sector regulator to set a benchmark for channel prices for DTH services, said that Star channels should be made available to Dish TV at half the price at which they are available to cable operators.

The tribunal‘s reasoning in the earlier case was that DTH is an addressable system where loss of revenue down the value chain is negligible, if not zero.

Also Read:
TDSAT to Star: give channels to Dish TV

Dish moves TDSAT against Star

TDSAT puts a lock on any DTH operator carrying Star channels

Tdsat rules in favour of Dish TV; MTV has one month to get onto DTH platform

MUMBAI: Mainland China exports of CCTV (closed-circuit TV) digital video recorders are expected to reach US$139 million in 2006, up 70 per cent from last year.

A new report released, “China Sourcing Report CCTV Digital Video Recorders,” indicates that buyers sourcing CCTV digital video recorders from Greater China and South Korea can expect increased supply and lower price quotes in the coming months. These findings are based on in-depth manufacturer interviews, factory visits and surveys, states an official release.
 
Report publisher Mark Saunderson says, “The worldwide security boom has makers expanding production capacity and predicting big export increases this year – some larger makers are even setting up overseas offices to sell own-brand products.”

Among surveyed manufacturers:

– 29 per cent say exports will increase by more than 100 per cent;
– 17 per cent expect increases of between 50 and 100 per cent;
– 52 per cent foresee increases of up to 50 per cent and;
– 2 per cent expect a decrease in exports.

Manufacturers forecast huge capacity growth, price declines for CCTV DVRs.  Buyers can expect greater supply, with 100 per cent of surveyed Greater China and South Korea manufacturers of CCTV digital video recorders planning to increase production capacity:

– 40 per cent of suppliers plan to increase capacity by 100 per cent or more;
– 7 per cent plan increases of between 50 and 100 per cent and;
– 53 per cent plan to increase capacity by up to 50 per cent.

Manufacturers cited fierce competition as a key factor in their expectations of lower prices in the coming year. More than half of surveyed makers project declines:

– 62 per cent say prices will likely decline in the next 12 months;
– 25 per cent foresee stable prices and;
– 13 per cent expect price increases.

The 122-page “China Sourcing Report CCTV Digital Video Recorders” report includes detailed profiles of 47 Greater China and South Korea manufacturers and features a product gallery with 126 top-selling export models. It also includes production and pricing forecasts as well as in-depth reports on major supply centers, adds the release.

MUMBAI: China Digital Media Corporation, a provider of cable and digital television services and content in China, has announced that it has reached a record level of households that have installed digital set-top-boxes (STB). As of 30 June 2006, approximately 200,000 subscribers had installed over 220,000 digital STBs, with over 15 per cent subscribing for additional digital STBs, according to a media release issued.

The company receives a portion of the subscription fees from each customer. It installed over 30,000 STBs in May 2006, the highest number of installations in a single month, and these newly installed STBs are equipped with Java platform and Ethernet port, the release adds.

“This is a major milestone for the company, as it represents a significant source of revenue,” says China Digital Media Corporation chairman and CEO Daniel Ng. “The launch of our new IP based STB has generated incredible interest in Nanhai and surrounding cities. We intend to focus on promoting our value added services and pay TV services, and searching for new projects elsewhere that we believe will enhance revenue growth.”