Category: Software

NEW DELHI: OnMobile Global has appointed Sanjay Uppal as president and CEO.

Prior to his new appointment, Uppal was Vice President – Application

Networking Citrix Systems.

Speaking about the appointment, OnMobile co-founder and chairman Arvind Rao said, “I am happy to welcome Sanjay into the OnMobile family. Sanjay brings with him a wealth of knowledge and experience that will hold us in good stead in the times to come. I am sure that his outlook and acumen will add great value to the company as we embark on an eventful year ahead.”

Uppal has vast experience in the technology industry and has spearheaded strategic new sales, product developments, mergers and acquisitions, in addition to charting out the growth map for the company.

NEW DELHI: Bharti Airtel has partnered with IT companies like Nivio and Microsoft to launch Online Desktop in India.

Says Bharti Airtel president-Telemedia Services Atul Bindal, “With this initiative, Airtel hopes to increase computer and broadband penetration by making it easy, affordable and with low access barriers. Our Online Desktop platform – powered by Microsoft and Nivio – will be useful in making computing more accessible to SMBs, SMEs and SOHOs as well as individual home customers of Airtel broadband. This is part of our larger commitment to offer an enhanced broadband experience to our customers and to drive the adoption of broadband by innovating and collaborating.”

Airtel has also introduced a retail pack for Rs. 199 per month wherein customers get 5 GB of online storage space, free Anti Virus protection, Windows-based operating system, automatic backup accessible from anywhere in the world in addition to professional pack at Rs 399 and business Packs at Rs 699 per month which will provide a Windows-based Operating System and MS Office

The service will be available to all Airtel broadband customers across 95 cities in the country.

MUMBAI: Asian satellite operator Asiasat and Fashion TV (FTV) have announced the signing of an agreement for C-band capacity on Asiasat 2 to launch FTV HD, the new high definition channel by FTV, in the Asia Pacific region.

Broadcast of FTV HD has commenced on Asiasat 2. The channel is distributed to all major cable and satellite networks, and pay TV platforms across the region, providing Asian viewers access to exceptional picture and sound quality of new programming on fashion, beauty, lifestyle and luxury.

FTV has also chosen once again RRsat Global Communication Network a provider of content management and global distribution services to the television and radio broadcasting industries, to provide the advanced playout and uplink services for the FTV HD channel to Asiasat 2.

Fashion TV president and founder Michel Adam says, “Following the successful launch of our HD service in Europe, we are delighted to work with AsiaSat, our long-term partner, to continue to roll out FTV HD in Asia. We have been using AsiaSat satellite for our Asian services since 1998, and Asiasat has proved itself to be a highly valued satellite partner over the years. We are pleased to further extend our relationship through distributing both our high definition and standard definition channels on AsiaSat satellites.

“Taking the opportunity that many pay TV platforms in Asia are rapidly expanding their HD offerings as their differentiating feature, we have successfully concluded carriage arrangements with several major Asian platform operators prior to our official launch of service.”

Asiasat CEO Pweter Jackson says, “We are very pleased to welcome FTV HD on board AsiaSat 2. FTV’s extension of services on AsiaSat satellites has again demonstrated broadcaster confidence in AsiaSat to be the ideal satellite platform for distribution service in Asia Pacific.

” This new HD channel is an exciting addition to AsiaSat’s HD service offering. We shall continue our efforts to grow our HD neighbourhood on AsiaSat to meet the fast growing demand from Asian TV platform operators for HD services in the region”.

A bench headed by Chief Justice KG Balakrishnan refused to stay the order passed by the Telecom Disputes Settlement and Appellate Court, but directed the parties to maintain the status quo till 27 February, the notified date of hearing.

On 15 January, the Tdsat had dismissed Trai‘s tariff order relating to a ceiling on cable TV services charges across the country on the basis of the regulator violating principles of transparency.

Stating that the tribunal‘s verdict will have tremendous impact on consumers and the broadcasting and the Cable TV services industry, Trai said that the tariff order which had been in existence for more than a year should be continued as it had been successfully implemented.

The tariff order had provided protection to about 80 million households in a very transparent and reasonable manner by stipulating ceilings on the monthly cable TV charges, senior counsel Harish Salve stated.

Around 30 million new households would be deprived of tariff protection and would be at the mercy of service providers and “there is a strong likelihood of arbitrary hikes in cable TV charges”, the regulator submitted.

On 4 October, 2007, Trai had issued a circular proposing a price band of Rs 132-260 for cable services based on a classification of cities and the number of pay channels provided by MSOs.

Besides, Trai had allowed MSOs to take channels from broadcasters on a la carte basis which was widely opposed by broadcasters like Zee, Star, Sony and Sun.

MUMBAI: Gone are the days when social networking sites were only used as platforms to rekindle old friendships. Today, the space conveys a definite opportunity to digital marketing where it can be explicitly utilised to connect with the right set of target audiences. And, this is what Red Chillies Entertainment‘s Billu has rightly discovered.

The film has tied up with Hungama Digital Media Entertainment to launch the special ‘Dosti Ke Rang, Shahrukh Ke Sang’ application wherein Hungama is creating a collision of the film world of Billu and the digital world of social networking networks.

Part of the film’s marketing and promotion activities, the application will help create a reunion between an individual and his/her old friends over the web. Once the application is downloaded, individuals can create a group photograph of their gangs wherein Shah Rukh Khan will be a part of it, standing in the centre of the picture. Each picture will be signed by the actor himself.

The application will also allow individuals to interact on a designated message board with the gang. Furthermore, Khan will pick one gang and attend their actual reunion, hosted by Hungama Digital.

Hungama Digital Media Entertainment MD and CEO Neeraj Roy said, “With Billu, Hungama has taken the theme of the movie and created a relevant product for the digital platform. The application ‘Dosti Ke Rang, Shahrukh Ke Sang’ brings alive the theme of the film on social networking sites, which are also catalysts in reconnecting old friends.”

Meanwhile, Hungama has also developed four other products as part of the ‘Billu promotion initiative‘ across the digital and mobile space.

Says,Quasar-owned Smile Interactive Technology Group CEO Harish Bahl, “We stepped in the digital space in 1999, during the tumultuous days of the dotcom bust. However, it was during these times that we grew the fastest and laid the foundation for all the successes we are proud of today. What‘s doubtful for others is an opportunity for us, and with a world-class digital delivery hub in place, Quasar is all set to stamp its authority as the digital leader in the Asia Pacific region.”

The trio has announced ‘World Gaming Day’ the youth connect initiative to celebrate the spirit of gaming which will be celebrated on 12 February 2009 across the globe. This proposal from India would be jointly promoted across mediums by Zapak.com, Sony Ericsson and Xbox 360 and is intended to be an annual feature.

World Gaming Day is expected to pull at least 10 million gamers from across the world to be part of the celebrations with prizes worth over Rs 30 million at stake. The India celebrations are scheduled to take place in Mumbai and winners get a chance to play against the best in Bollywood.

The gaming industry worldwide is estimated to touch $46.5 billion by 2010 (as per PwC Media Outlook ‘07-11). The gaming industry in India is poised to touch $200 million by 2011 (according to Nasscom). With international markets increasingly catering to requirements of the global gaming industry, India’s contribution to the industry and its development is undoubtedly zooming up – both at the global and domestic level.

Sony Ericsson, the title sponsor of the initiative also launched – Sony Ericsson F305 with motion gaming technology. The phone can follow actions to imitate bowling or casting a fishing line. Sony Ericsson F305, claims the company, is its attempt to provide consumers superior gaming experience on mobile phones.

Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications India GM Sudhin Mathur said “We are happy to have joined hands with Zapak.com for this initiative of ‘World Gaming Day’. Gaming is no more restricted to PC’s and consoles. People want to play games all the time. We at Sony Ericsson are focusing on gaming as an important aspect of mobiles with unique motion sensor technology which allows users to play games with out touching the keypad. Sony Ericsson has recently launched Sony Ericsson F305 – a dedicated gaming phone. The launch of this motion gaming phone also takes mobile gaming to the next step. We hope to get maximum participation for the celebration of World Gaming Day.”

Zapak Digital Entertainment Ltd COO Rohit Sharma added, “At Zapak our aim has always been to reach out to each and every individual in the country and provide them with the best possible gaming experience. In a short span of two years, over six million registered users are gaming on Zapak.com which proves to show gaming is the next big option in entertainment and it is here to stay! In the coming years gaming will touch new heights and will be the biggest entertainment option worldwide. It was about time someone stood up and gave it its due recognition and we are proud to have initiated the same with ‘World Gaming Day’.”

“I am happy that Sony Ericsson and Xbox 360 have joined hands with us to promote this novel initiative. Together with World Gaming Day we will look at leveraging Gaming as the hippest new entertainment option amongst the existing and potential gamers worldwide. We are expecting participation from at least 10 million Indians to get gaming during the celebration period,” he further added.

“Gaming is the buzzword in today’s entertainment scene and Xbox 360’s association with the first ever world gaming day in India is bound to take the gaming excitement to a new high. We are committed to the Indian gaming market and will continue to provide the Indian gamer with the latest and the best in gaming, as is our promise globally,” noted Microsoft Corp (India) regional director – entertainment & devices division Jaspreet Bindra.

MUMBAI: It‘s Europe Ahoy for Yeshpal Sharma. The former Eurosport Global HQ -Paris sponsorship director has been hired by Star, the wholly owned subsidiary of News Corp, as VP of distribution and advertising sales for the UK and continental Europe.

He will oversee Star’s operations across the territory, working to expand advertising sales and distribution of Star’s Indian and Chinese language television services.

“With the continued expansion of Asian communities across the UK and Europe, we have a real opportunity to further increase our presence,” said Wisnia. “Yeshpal, along with the talented team we have in place, will be counted on to grow our revenue base in line with the excitement that the Star brand is generating among our growing number of viewers here.”

Sharma was earlier the business development director for Octagon in the UK.

The co-branded satellite service offers TV choice to consumers across the 22 states where AT&T operating companies offer wired residential broadband and voice services along with ongoing discounts when combined with other AT&T services.

Through this new alliance, customers will be able to enjoy programming packages as part of an AT&T service bundle, including quadruple-play bundles with TV, broadband, home phone and wireless services — something cable competitors do not offer today.

In the future, the companies plan to extend their combined services to bring more integrated and interactive features to consumers. By combining AT&T broadband and wireless assets with DirecTV’s content, AT&T|DirecTV customers will be able to access and connect with their favorite programming across the three screens — the TV, PC and wireless devices.

AT&T Operations VP video services Jeff Weber says, “Consumers today are looking for TV programming, features and equipment that enhance their entertainment experience, at a great price and as part of a complete, integrated bundle of services. By combining the strengths of our companies, we’re well positioned to grow our subscriber base and build the foundation for future innovative features and integrated services.”

DirecTV chief sales and marketing officer Paul Guyardo adds, “This is really a game-changing event in the industry because it enables us to give customers a stellar television experience whenever and wherever they want. Our alliance gives consumers an integrated bundle of services that blows cable away.”

Research company SRG says that its most recent research confirms what is likely obvious to many observers – most young TV viewers are already living in a post-DVR world with much greater availability of online video both legally and also via peer-to-peer sources.

For the ‘Prime Time is Anytime‘ study, the company interviewed 1,200 Americans aged 12 and older in November 2008, during the fall sweeps and then compared results to past tracking surveys taken in the fall of 2007 and 2006.

Online viewing of TV shows at some point in the past is now at 50 per cent, double the rate of 25 per cent in the fall of 2006.

Hulu has significantly increased its awareness, with 24 per cent saying they have heard of the website. Hulu audience skews young and male – with an average age of 33 and 2-in-3 visitors are men.

15 per cent of online Americans have visited the website of one of the major networks in the last month specifically to watch a TV show online. But unlike Hulu’s audience, 54 per cent of this audience is female and the average age of 39 is much closer to the average of the broader Internet audience.

The research also found that online TV audiences are happier with their viewing experience compared to last year—46 per cent rate their latest viewing experience on one of the network sites as excellent, up 7-points from the 2007 average of 39 per cent.

Dancing with The Stars, Desperate Housewives, Grey’s Anatomy were among the top titles for online viewing on network sites.

Outside of YouTube, major of the top-of-mind destinations for videos, TV shows and movies are ABC, Yahoo!, NBC, Hulu, MySpace and CBS, each receiving over five per cent in mentions from online Americans.