Developages - Development and Technology Blog

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Commissioner Robert McDowell recently fielded questions from the public about the DTV transition in Philadelphia, including this one:

“I thought I lost my converter coupons I received in the mail, but later found them in my desk drawer at work, the coupons had expired and I was told I could not get replacement, even though I told them I could send back the coupons I received. Is there a way to receive another coupon or am I just out of luck? Thanks for your help.”

McDowell: “Great question. Congress mandated that the coupons expire within 90 days. So your best recourse is to find a friend, neighbor or relative who does not need a coupon to order one for you and give it to you. Of course, if you don’t need the coupon to be able to purchase the box, you can just buy one outright. They cost as little as $40.”

Less than 100 days remain before the nation’s analog broadcast television system is shut down for good. Thus far, the federal government has mailed nearly 32 million $40 coupons for the digital-to-analog converter boxes necessary to keep old TV sets working without cable or satellite. Of that 32 million, nearly a third have expired; 13.5 million have been redeemed, and the rest are floating around or sitting at the bottom of a drawer.

Stations have been doing dry runs for months to get folks prepared for the transition, and one of the most prevalent issues involves reception. The antennas that pulled in mostly low-VHF channels don’t necessarily do the trick for digital signals, many of which will be UHF. 

Where will you be when they pull the plug?

More at Television Broadcast.

Tags: converter boxes, converter coupons, dtv transition, fcc

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Copyright VoIP & Gadgets Blog

Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Digital Cameras, Transportation

Way back in 2005, we got wind of a Bluetooth-based telematics systems for cars dubbed Carwings. Now, Nissan is gearing up to launch two safety pilots which will rely on — you guessed it — Carwings HDD navigation systems. First up is the slip-hazard alert, which marries data from the ITS (Intelligent Transport System) and ABS (Anti-lock Braking System) in order to warn drivers of slippery road conditions. In addition to that, the recently concocted road-cam service can “enhance the effectiveness of the alert service by offering drivers a visual image” of surroundings. The company will make the slip-hazard alert and the new road-cam service available to all Carwings customers (in Japan) beginning next month, with the latter hitting first (in November) and the former second (in December). Oh, and did we mention the upgrades will be completely gratis? Because they will be.

[Via Wired]

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: Laptops

Considering that MSI’s Wind U120 is on track for release this quarter, it follows logic that we’d see a few press shots as the run-up to launch continues. Once again, we’re told that this bugger will sport a 120GB HDD (or a 20GB / 40GB SSD), 802.11n WiFi and built-in 3.5G WWAN. As you can easily see, the U120 isn′t too much different (style wise) from the U100, and unfortunately, it’s not a whole lot thinner either. Still, the unit does look a bit more edgy, and hopefully we’ll be seeing a lot more (read: in the wild) shots as December comes closer. Speaking of, check the read link for a whole load of press images.

[Thanks, TheLostSwede]

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Original post by Darren Murph

If you′re into photography… and probably even if you′re not, we′ve entered a very exciting period. Photokina is underway. Photokina is the world′s biggest trade show for photography, held in historic (and fragrantly smelly) Cologne, Germany. Attended by over 150,000 and featuring more than 1,500 exhibitors, manufacturers wait patiently for Photokina to spring their new products on the world.

You can get a quick read on just how much is going on by looking at the news section of DPReview.com. Instead of the usual few entries a week, DPReview is jammed with new gear. There are lenses and software and cameras and peripherals from all the big names and their smaller cousins. I’m in the market for a new lens and I’m looking every day.

So far the big news concerns Canon’s new 5D Mark II which threatens to revolutionize what we expect from a DSLR (take a look at Vincent Laforet’s 5D video short if you don′t believe me), Adobe’s forthcoming CS4, including a new version of Photoshop and Fujifilms “Look Ma, no dumb glasses,” “Real 3D” system.

Photokina runs through the weekend, though you’ll be feeling its effect on the photographic world for the next two years.

Original post by Geoff Fox

Filed under: Cellphones, Handhelds

Great news for Palm fans, Treo fans, Windows Mobile fans, and anyone who lives out in the sticks: the Treo Pro is now officially available for preorder. Palm’s US site now lists the Treo Pro in glossy black “obsidian” for the expected $549 with shipping anticipated in two to three weeks. We’ll admit, there’s something vaguely sexy about an unlocked smartphone with North American 3G — no matter how ancient the platform might be. Any chance this’ll be upgradeable to Nova, Palm?

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

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Original post by Chris Ziegler

Today, Objectworld introduced Unified Communications for just 7 cents per day per user. Their platform can work with your existing non-VoIP PBX via gateways or you can go the 100% VoIP route as well since their server can communicate with any SIP-based IP-PBX.

It’s a pretty feature-rich solution offering VoIP, personal call control, text-to-speech, conference server, unified messaging, integrated fax server, Active Directory-based administration, ODBC-enabled service creation environment, presence-based operator console and more. Often unified communications solutions are priced out of the range for the SMB. Essentially, Objectworld’s solution helps being UC to the SMB at an affordable price.

Check out the news…

Existing PBX systems become UC-enabled delivering improved workforce productivity and efficiency

Objectworld Communications Corp., a leading provider of unified communications (UC) and communications-enabled business process (CEBP) software solutions for small- and medium-sized businesses with Microsoft Windows platforms, announced today the most cost-effective UC solution for businesses. For as little as 7 cents a day per user, businesses can reap the benefits of unified communications including email, voicemail, messaging and fax capabilities accessible from one interface and from any device.

Objectworld’s bundled solutions based on organizational size deliver the lowest possible cost to customers and include VoIP, personal call control, conference server, unified messaging, integrate fax server, Active Directory-based administration, ODBC-enabled service creation environment, presence-based operator console and more.

With Objectworld’s UC Server Standard Edition, businesses are not required to deploy VoIP in order to reap the productivity benefits of unified communications, saving them tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands more by leveraging their existing PBX systems in the process. However, if businesses want to upgrade their existing phone system, Objectworld UC Server SIP Edition can provide an end-to-end unified communications solution for only 37 cents a day. The 37 cents per day solution includes not only software, but also new hardware such as third-party desktop phones, server hardware and gateways.

With these new capabilities, businesses can improve workforce productivity and increase responsiveness. Depending on system size, Objectworld’s UC Server can save businesses up to hundreds of thousands of dollars, demonstrating immediate business value to implement UC.

“We believe that any-sized business, especially an SMB, should be able to enjoy the benefits of a unified communications platform,” said David Levy, president and chief executive officer of Objectworld. “Objectworld can deliver UC for only 7 cents a day per user for 200 users, which is amazing considering what incumbent PBX vendors are targeting for much less functionality. It’s even more remarkable considering that businesses can spend 22 cents a day for coffee services for their employees. I think the return on investment is very visible.”

To see a cost estimation of Objectworld’s software-based solutions, incorporating Objectworld Connect-certified and supported, third-party vendors for phones such as Polycom, Snom and Grandstream, as well as a variety of media gateways, please visit http://www.objectworld.com/pricing/

Tags: grandstream, microsoft, Objectworld, Objectworld’s UC Server Standard Edition, Polycom, Snom, UC, unified communications, VoIP

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Original post by nafiz

Wal-Mart plans to break the consumer sweet spot under-$300 price point barrier on Blu-ray players this month, according to a report on Pocket-lint.co.uk.

Traditionally, consumer products really start to take off when they drop under the $300 level (at l ast when the overall economy is sound).

Wal-Mart will sell a Profile 1.1 Funai player under the Magnavox brand with picture-in-picture functionality.

Not to far behind, Best Buy is expected to offer the player under the Insignia brand for $350 or so beginning next month.

Tags: Best Buy, Blu-ray, Funai, Magnavox, Pocket-lint.co.uk, Wal-Mart

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Original post by nafiz

Microsoft just announced that Zune, the company’s “all-in-one digital entertainment brand,” is adding new software features and content to the Zune online store, music community and Zune Pass monthly subscription service.

Of particular note, Zune is expanding its video store to include downloads of popular television shows from Comedy Central, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Starz Media, Turner Broadcasting, Ultimate Fighting Championship and VH1.

Will be interesting to see how this dents Apple’s iPod leadership …

Read more about it here on the Microsoft site.

Tags: Apple, Comedy Central, iPod, Microsoft, MTV, NBC Universal, Nickelodeon, Starz Media, Turner Broadcasting, Ultimate Fighting Championship, VH1, Zune

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Original post by nafiz

Filed under: Portable Video

While we’re still waiting for the early year flirtations of NBC and Apple to sprout into a renewed relationship, it looks like Microsoft is picking up the ball and running with it. The new Zune Marketplace TV lineup includes NBC favorites “The Office, “Heroes” and “30 Rock,” in addition to popular shows from Comedy Central, MTV, Vˑ, Nickelodeon, and Sci Fi Channel. Over 800 episodes in total are available at the moment, and all of them are going for 160 Microsoft Points — about $2.00. A more complete list is after the break.

Continue reading Zune TV lineup gets some NBC love

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Original post by Paul Miller

Filed under: Misc. Gadgets, Household

If you’ve covered your entire house in gold and diamonds and are left with little else to pimp out, you can always move on to the kitchen. The Nespresso Crystal Edition coffee machine is covered with 3100 Swarovski crystals and will only run you about £1,995 (or about $4,000). But does it make coffee? Does it ever - it comes with a removable grill for macciato lattes, sports an illuminated collecting pan for your used coffee capsules, and does it all with the single press of a pretty, shiny, blingy button.

[Via Red Ferret]

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Original post by Joshua Fruhlinger

Filed under: Peripherals

Microsoft is at it again with its boring-as-can-be product names and its terrifically designed computer mice and keyboards. First off is the new Wireless Laser Desktop 7000 (pictured), which Microsoft calls the “little black dress” of peripherals — something we find to be at least a little disturbing. The keyboard and mouse combo include “smoked translucent border″ design elements, conveniently-assignable My Favorites Keys, and some rather sleek / thin looks. The keyboard — which we saw pass the FCC in February — is of the Comfort Curve-ilk, the Wireless Laser Mouse 7000 has a horizontal charging station, and both use 2.4GHz wireless tech. The worst news is the price, at $130 when it hits in April. If you don’t need all the fancy, Microsoft also has the new Digital Media Keyboard 3000 (pictured after the break) with some fun media-centric keys for the much more palatable $30 pricepoint. It’ll be out in June.

 

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Original post by Paul Miller

If you’re used to sitting down at Starbucks and signing into the Wi-Fi network with your pre-paid T-Mobile Hotspot time, get ready for a change. Though you may hardly notice.

Starting this spring and rolling across the country by the end of the year, the coffee chain is dropping T-Mobile as its Wi-Fi provider in 7,000 locations in the United States in favor of AT&T. This comes after working with T-Mobile for several years, but there’s no word on why.

AT&T can now claim a 17,000 location strong hotspot network in the U.S. Many of those locations are actually operated by Wayport, such as the Wi-Fi found at thousands of McDonald’s restaurants. But AT&T, in turn, provides the backhaul connection for those Wi-Fi connections.

AT&T is going to be nice to current users. Starbucks says AT&T cut a deal with T-Mobile so current users can continue to access the Wi-Fi at Starbucks without paying extra. AT&T’s own press release states that Starbucks card holders can have two free hours of Wi-Fi per day; it usually costs $3.99 per two hour session (T-Mobile charged $6 per hour). Users can also pay $19.99 a month, flat. Current subscribers to AT&T broadband services at home get free access at hotspots any time they want — that goes for all the AT&T hotspots, Starbucks and non.

Bonus for you 100,000 baristas and other Starbucks employees: you get gratis access in any location. Hopefully, it’s not your only raise this year.

Original post by Eric Griffith

Filed under: Cellphones

Although Motorola’s market share has been steadily sliding to the delight of Nokia and Samsung, DigiTimes would have you believe that Moto reigns supreme in the global Windows Mobile Smartphone segment. Citing “internal data from Microsoft,” the oft-wrong, occasionally correct tattle-rag claims that HTC’s share of the WinMo Standard space has declined leaving Moto with the largest market share — beating Samsung by, “a small margin.” This after HTC saw a 50% Smartphone domination during Microsoft’s Jul 2006 - Jul 2007 fiscal year. HTC still maintains a 50% market share for WinMo Professional touch-screen devices. Of course, this could be true. After all, Moto has refocused their attention to high-margin, full-featured handsets at the expense of emerging markets and entry level yawners. And you can’t swing an HTC Vox without knocking over a dozen Qs. Still, until we hear otherwise, take this rumor with a quarry-sized load of rock salt.

&nbsp

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Original post by Thomas Ricker

Filed under: Cellphones

Although it does sound as if the much protested plant closing in Bochum, Germany will indeed leave around 2,300 workers sans a job, the street was still loving what Nokia had to talk about today. In its latest earnings report, the firm announced that it raked in €15.7 billion ($22.76 billion) in revenues and €1.8 billion ($2.6 billion) in net profit from October to December 2007. Furthermore, the firm managed to move a record 133.5 million handsets in the aforementioned period, which is up some 27-percent from ̮ a year earlier. That sales surge enabled the handset maker to grab hold of 40-percent of the global cellphone market, and apparently, bigwigs at the company aren′t expecting things to plateau in 2008. Needless to say, things are pretty spirited in Helsinki right about now, so feel free to tag the links below for even more jaw-dropping figures.

Read - Nokia 4Q profits up 44 percent, market share reaches 40 per cent
Read - Nokia’s Q4 2007 report

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Original post by Darren Murph

Filed under: HDTV, Home Entertainment

According to the latest NPD group report, during the month of December Blu-ray players held 60 percent of the HD media player market — despite the fact that HD DVD players were considerably cheaper. While that might’ve helped Warner in its decision to go Blu, the move has definitely had a dramatic effect on player sales since. According to the same study the week after the announcement, Blu-ray players were able to grab 93 percent of the market, which puts the year to date (short, we know) share for Blu-ray players at 70 percent. Granted, it’s hard to put too much stock in just a week or two of data, but if this and the recent media sales numbers (85 percent) becomes a trend, maybe this won’t be such a slow death for HD DVD after all.

[Via Blu-ray.com]

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Original post by Ben Drawbaugh