

The HP Folio is expected to be available from January onwards with a starting price of Php 55,990.
By Fei on February 3, 2012


The HP Folio is expected to be available from January onwards with a starting price of Php 55,990.
By Fei on February 3, 2012

SEATTLE – As promised, Microsoft on Wednesday shipped version 1.0 of the Kinect for Windows SDK and runtime and said partners have started selling the Kinect hardware.
The Kinect motion and voice sensor was initially designed for use with Microsoft’s Xbox gaming console. But it soon became clear that developers wanted the chance to build new kinds of applications using the sensor. Microsoft has been letting people build Kinect apps for PCs, but only for non-commercial use. This release of the SDK (software development kit) means that developers can launch commercial products using the sensor.
The SDK and runtime include a few improvements over the most recent beta version, Craig Eisler, general manager of Kinect for Windows, wrote in a blog post. They enable support for up to four Kinect sensors plugged into the same computer, include improved skeletal tracking of users and have a “near mode” for tracking movement as close as 40 centimeters in front of the device.
They also have the latest Microsoft speech recognition technology and an installer that developers can use in their application set-up programs.
Eisler wrote that the company expects to release updates to the SDK and runtime two to three times a year.
He didn’t name who is selling the Kinect hardware but said the suggested price is US$249. Amazon.com is selling it for that price. Microsoft plans to soon offer a special academic price of $149 for qualified educational uses.
At CES in January, Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer said that the company planned to release the Kinect SDK and hardware on Feb. 1.
Late last year Microsoft kicked off a program designed to give Kinect developers a leg up. The company is selecting 10 people or startups who will spend three months in Seattle working out of the Kinect offices. They’ll receive technical training and support and have access to investors and Microsoft executives. They also get $20,000.
Microsoft has highlighted a wide array of applications that might be possible or are already in development for the Kinect. In one video, Microsoft shows people using the Kinect to play instruments without the instrument, a doctor in an operating room flipping through X-ray images without having to touch them, and a teacher controlling a display of the night sky by waving his arms.
By Fei on January 31, 2012

By Fei on January 31, 2012

CommunicAsia and BroadcastAsia, the most established infocomm technology (ICT) and media communications event of its kind in Asia, is poised to return with a large showing. Both shows have seen more than 85 per cent of their exhibition space taken up by exhibitors, with five months to go before the event – held from 19 to 22 June 2012 at the prestigious Marina Bay Sands and award-winning Suntec Singapore respectively. As the premier global business networking platform and launch pad for companies to introduce cutting-edge technologies and solutions, CommunicAsia2012 and BroadcastAsia2012 will highlight pertinent industry developments and address emerging trends as well as provide enhanced networking opportunities for industry professionals from around the world. EnterpriseIT, held in conjunction with CommunicAsia, will showcase innovative applications and end-to-end solutions across the entire value chain and transform the way companies operate and communicate internally and beyond. And once again, the event will present Asia’s largest contingent of satellite companies witnessed at any single event. “CommunicAsia and BroadcastAsia today are the only truly international shows in Asia where business professionals across a range of industries come together in one city for one week. Strong support and endorsement from over 20 leading trade associations including Asia-Pacific Broadcasting Union (ABU), Asia-Pacific Satellite Communications Council (APSCC), Asia-Pacific Telecommunity (APT), Singapore Infocomm Technology Federation (SiTF) and others, helps to strengthen our mix of industry-leading exhibitors and visitors from across the globe,” says Mr. Victor Wong, Project Director of Communications Events, Singapore Exhibition Services (SES). “We are proud to provide an efficacious launch pad for our exhibitors to showcase the latest and best that technology has to offer. This exclusive platform continues to play a pivotal part in driving the conversation for development within the industry.” Following the success of last year’s event, which attracted a total of over 53,000 professional attendees from more than 100 countries, attendees to this year’s shows can look forward to a myriad of the newest technologies, products and solutions from 2,000 multinational and small and medium companies. Visitors can avail of opportunities to listen to industry luminaries, network with business leaders and government officials and forge business partnerships. CommunicAsia2012 will feature breakthrough developments in NextGen Networks and satellite technology, as well as a sneak peek into the latest market-ready devices and mobile apps and solutions and dynamic industry deals set to alter ICT in Asia and beyond. Leading returning exhibitors include Falcon Interactive, FiberHome, Globecast, Inmarsat, Intelsat, Irdeto, Netop Technology, PCCW Global, Prysmian, Rosenberger, ST Electronics, Tektronix and Tata Communications; new participants include Anritsu, Aver Information, Hitachi Critical Facilities Protection and Novelsat.
This year’s show will provide more exhibition space and hospitality suite options for exhibitors. There will be more than 20 international group pavilions, including representation from Australia, Belgium, Brunei, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, Taiwan, UK, USA and more. Five Techzones, focusing on ‘Fibre’ for NextGen Services, Cloud Services and Security, M2M, mCommerce and Telepresence – will feature cutting-edge products, technologies and solutions, presenting the most relevant and current solutions for businesses and enterprises across the value chain. Setting the stage for global industry leaders to share their knowledge, the CommunicAsia2012 Summit will offer distinctly titled forums and workshops that address the most compelling issues and challenges for the ICT industry with the spotlight on mobile-driven trends this year. Extended sessions dedicated to mobile-focused topics encompassing m-Commerce, Mobile VAS, and Mobile Security issues will be added to the conference, alongside the latest tracks on Mobile Payments, Mobile Health, Customer Experience Management (CEM), and OTT Business Models. In conjunction with CommunicAsia2012, EnterpriseIT2012 is expected to take up 40 per cent of exhibition space at Marina Bay Sands, with exhibitors comprising international software and IT systems providers, and companies offering enterprise solutions. These include key companies such as Consistel, CrimsonLogic, Emerson Network Power, Extreme Networks, Mindwave Solutions, NComputing, Planet Technology Corporation, Providence Solutions, SecureAge Technology, Starvision, Stellent Solutions and Terra Systems. In addition, the CommunicAsia2012 Summit sessions will also feature tracks dedicated to enhancing enterprises’ capabilities, especially towards mobile technologies and applications such as M2M, mCommerce, Cloud Computing and more. These topics will cater to companies in the healthcare, retail, hospitality and other sectors. BroadcastAsia2012: Integrating Technologies, Experiencing Content Asia’s leading digital media, entertainment and film industry event, BroadcastAsia continues to move beyond broadcasting to highlight the convergence of technologies and solutions relevant to the fast-changing media landscape. BroadcastAsia2012 will showcase a global array of the latest technologies, applications, equipment and solutions in Film, Audio and TV with a spotlight on Multi Streaming Technologies, Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV), Playout Services, Pro-Audio Technology, Over The Top (OTT) Technology, Cloud Broadcasting and Digital Radio. Returning exhibitors at the show include ATG, Blackmagic, Evertz, EVS, Gospell, Grass Valley, Harmonic, Harris, Miranda, Salzbrenner Stagetec, Sennheiser, Snell, Tektronix, VSN and more. The exhibition welcomes some new exhibitors –Envivio, Hitachi Kokusai Linear, Ideal Systems, Nippon Electronics, NTT Electrics, Pliat and Toshiba among others – and locally-based companies Alphatron, AV Lite; Broadcast Professional, Cathay Photo, H Warta, Lemo, and more. Visitors can look forward to nine international group pavilions and a larger Cinematography/Film/Production Zone on the show floors.
International Conference and Creative Content Production Conferences return this year with a behind-the-scenes look at the latest technologies and techniques panning out in the market. With the growing momentum behind Smart TVs, Cloud Broadcasting, Multi-platform and OTT delivery and the challenges of managing an effective PayTV model as well as digital asset management, the BroadcastAsia2012 International Conference will offer more sessions to address the latest needs and technologies in the broadcasting industry. In its 3rd instalment, the Creative Content Production Conference will return with two days of conference sessions and an add-on day of workshops this year. The conference will comprise a mix of topical issues, case studies and hands-on sessions to address the evolving challenges faced by production professionals from new media and visual effects to editing and IP rights. For more information, visit www.sesallworld.com.
By Fei on January 31, 2012


Following its appointment as a Fortinet Distributor, MSI-ECS hosted a thanksgiving dinner to more than 100 channel partners last January 17, 2012 at the Dusit Thai Hotel, Makati City. With the appointment, MSI-ECS is authorized to cover all industry verticals and the full range of products in Fortinet’s portfolio, including its flagship FortiGate integrated network security appliances and other solutions addressing, among other areas, wireless, messaging and database security. Photo shows (L-R), Jimmy Go, President/CEO, MSI-ECS and Jeff Castillo, Country Manager for the Philippines, Fortinet.
By Fei on January 30, 2012


To learn more about Schneider Electric’s solutions, visit www.schneider-electric.com.
By Fei on January 30, 2012

By Fei on January 30, 2012

By Fei on January 27, 2012

More information at www.trendmicro.com.
By Fei on January 27, 2012


As part of its CSR initiative, MSI-ECS donates PhP100,000 last January 24, 2012 to Tulay Ng Kabataan Foundation, a non-profit organization based in Quezon City to support its cause of providing shelter and taking care of street children in Metro Manila.
Photo shows (L-R), Jimmy Go, President/CEO, MSI-ECS; Alexandra Chapeleau, Communications and Partnerships Head, Tulay ng Kabataan Foundation; and Maurice Altar, AVP for Marketing and Communications, MSI-ECS.
This CSR initiative is part of MSI-ECS “Make-a-Difference” project launched in 2010 whose main goal is to help and support charity organizations and NGOs through financial assistance. MSI-ECS has been a corporate of WWF in 2010.