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[2009-10-16] CEIVA Pro 80 digiframe accepts new images from MMS, networked PCs

October 15th, 2009

“The built-in WiFi module enables networked PCs to pass along slideshows”

[2009-10-16] Google to open digital book store next year with up to 600K titles

October 15th, 2009

“Google executives speaking at the Frankfurt Book Fair in Germany said the e-book store, called Google Editions, will launch next year and include between 400,000 and 600,000 titles, according to reports.”

[2009-10-15] Ekahau’s T301W Wi-Fi wristband offers wireless tracking

October 15th, 2009

“Ekahau has a range of beacons available that will fix that, and when in the presence of those beacons (or any other configured Wi-Fi network) a wristband can be located to within a few feet. It’s the latest of a variety of similar devices from Ekahau, but the first small enough and waterproof enough to be wearable”

[2009-10-15] What the Climate Bill will mean for the Smart Grid

October 15th, 2009

“Assuming the bill does pass with lighter emissions restrictions, the Smart Grid ecosystem — encompassing advanced meter makers, utilities, and startups creating programmable appliances and thermostats — stands to benefit in a big way. New research programs and efficiency requirements could give it the boost it needs for rapid adoption. Of course, with so many politicians and industry and utility lobbyists angling for the Climate Bill’s failure, Smart Grid may have to stay the course of government stimulus support and gradual, piecemeal rollouts.”

[2009-10-15] Sigma Designs buys home-networking chip maker CopperGate for $160M

October 15th, 2009

“CopperGate, based in Tel Aviv, Israel, makes chips that can handle the complex job of processing home networking data, regardless of the type of wires being used. It can, for instance, handle data transferred over a coax cable for cable TV. It can also handle broadband data transferred through the home from one phone jack to another or over the electrical power wires from one electrical outlet to another. Normally, a chip will handle just one of those tasks. That has forced vendors of home broadband adapters to create three different kinds of products for consumers, who are often confused about which solutions will work best in their homes.”

[2009-10-15] Finland makes 1Mb broadband access a legal right

October 15th, 2009

“Every person in Finland (a little over 5 million people, according to a 2009 estimate) will have the right of access to a 1Mb broadband connection starting in July. Just more than a year ago, Finland said it would make a 100Mb broadband connection a legal right by the end of 2015. Wednesday’s announcement is considered an intermediate step. “

[2009-10-15] Gartner eyeing electronics recovery next year

October 15th, 2009

“Though consumers have scooped up LCD TVs and Blu-ray players, overall sales in most areas of consumer electronics were flat or down throughout 2009. Gartner sees the market in a state of limbo right now, expecting little growth until the second quarter of next year. Beyond that, the segment is unlikely to return to pre-recession levels until the first quarter of 2011.”

[2009-10-15] Advanced TV ad revenues to top $4 billion in 2014, as digital TV providers capitalize on demand for VOD and DVRs

October 15th, 2009

“The pay-TV industry will start to see success in advanced TV advertising beginning mid-2010, with U.S. revenues topping $130 million by year-end, according to the new Parks Associates report”

[2009-10-15] Green Mobile Devices

October 15th, 2009

“The sheer volume of mobile phones produced annually and the propensity of users to chase mobile technology trends leads to an average replacement cycle of between 12 and 18 months, bringing special attention to the greening efforts of mobile device manufacturers.”

[2009-10-15] Wi-Fi Gets a Boost With New P2P Standard

October 15th, 2009

“The Wi-Fi Alliance today issued a new standard to augment Wi-Fi, called Wi-Fi Direct, that turns a Wi-Fi chip into a mini access point. The technology allows your Wi-Fi gadgets to talk to one another without having to get on a network, and enables anything containing a Wi-Fi chip to combine with other WiFi-chip-containing gadgets to create a wireless hotspot. Wi-Fi Direct will be available as a software upgrade for existing Wi-Fi devices and incorporated into new ones after the standard is set sometime in the middle of next year.”