By Robert S. Anthony
March 11, 2010

By Tim Moynihan
February 23, 2009

By Ginny Mies
February 16, 2009

By Lexton Snol
February 11, 2009

By PC Advisor Staff
January 10, 2009

December 21, 2009

Intel has announced new Intel Atom processors that feature integrated graphics built directly into the CPU, enabling improved performance and smaller, more energy-efficient designs in a new generation of netbooks and Atom-based entry-level desktop PCs. Major OEMs have committed to having systems on the new Intel Atom processors and a new companion chipset available within the next few weeks.

The newest Intel Atom platform, formerly codenamed “Pine Trail,” consist of a new Intel Atom processor, the N450, and a new low-power Intel NM10 Express Chipset (for netbooks). For entry-level desktop PCs, it consists of either the Intel Atom processor D410 or the dual core D510, also paired with the Intel NM10 express chipset. The Atom processor was designed from the ground up for small devices and low power, and remains Intel’s smallest chip, built on the company’s 45nm high-k metal gate manufacturing process. The overall package, including the chipset, just got smaller due to the increasing integration and 45nm manufacturing, which means smaller, more compact system designs, lower costs for OEMs and improved performance.

Broad Industry Momentum
Intel continues to see broad industry support for the Atom platform as netbook in particular have been hot sellers during a recessionary year due to their affordability, function and small size (7-10-inch screens). Additionally, Intel is expecting to see broad channel adoption for Atom in a variety of small form factor entry-level desktop PCs at low price points, including ultra-small designs (less than 1-litre chassis), fanless designs, and low-cost all-in-one designs.

Since Intel announced the first Atom processor for netbooks and entry-level desktop PCs in June 2008, the market has expanded rapidly. Since introduction, Intel has shipped over 40million Atom chips for netbooks to every major OEM around the world. In the same timeframe, netbooks have ramped faster and sold more units than Apple’s iPhone and the Nintendo Wii. According to ABI Research, total Atom shipments for all segments are expected to continue to grow into the 100s of millions by 2011. Intel is not letting up, offering the next-generation platform for OEMs to continue to innovate around.

“The Intel Atom processor has feuled an entirely new category of computing over the last year and a half and we think the growth will continue for devices like netbooks and entry-level PCs built around basic computing and Internet usage models,” said Mooly Eden, Intel corporate vice president and general manager of Intel’s PC Client Group. “We’re excited to be delivering the next-generation Atom platform and working across the industry as we head into a second phase of growth, powering innovative new system designs with better performance, smaller footprints and better battery life.”

Intel has over 80 design wins to-date for the new Atom platform from such leading OEMs as Asus, Acer, Lenovo, Dell, MSI, Toshiba, Samsung and Fujitsu. While the bulk of the systems will feature the new Windows 7 Starter or Home Basic operating system, consumers will have a choice when it comes to selecting an operating system, with some OEMs offering Moblin Linux v2 as an alternative for customers who desire a customizable and differentiated user interface.

Worldwide netbook shipments by telecommunication companies are also growing and expected to fuel another round of expansion. Intel has been working closely with mobile operators and modem vendors to advance 3G capabilities in netbooks in established and emerging markets. To date, approximately a dozen service providers offer netbooks in various markets, and the numbers are expected to grow with the newest platform.

Improved Processor and Graphics Performance
One of the most significant features of the new platform is the integration of the memory controller and graphics into the CPU, a first in the industry on x-86 chips. That means two chips (CPU+chipset) instead of the previous three (CPU+chipset, I/O controller hub), a lower TDP and substantial reduction in cost, overall footprint and power. The netbook platform features a 20% improvement in average power and smaller package size over the previous Atom platform. This translates into smaller and more compact system designs and longer battery life. Because of the integration, the total footprint for the netbook platform has decreased by approximately 60%. For entry-level desktop PCs, it’s nearly 70% reduction in footprint and about 50% lower TDP than the previous generation.

About the Platform
The N450 is a single core atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and a seven-watt total kit TDP including chipset. The D410 for entry-level desktop PCs is a single-core Atom processor with 512k of L2 cache and 12-watt kit TDP including chipset, and the D510 for entry-level desktop PCs is a dual core Atom processor with 1meg L2 cache and 15-watt total kit TDP including chipset. The new chips all run 1.66GHz. Pricing and availability will be announced in January as systems become available from OEMs.

By Ian Paul
November  18, 2009

Google phone rumors are back with a vengeance, spurred on by reports that the Internet behemoth Google is partnering with phone maker HTC on a “super” Android device thinner than the Droid and iPhone. The release date for this Google-branded phone is early 2010, according to TechCrunch’s Michael Arrington, who reported a Google Phone was in the works Tuesday.

Rumors of a Google phone are nothing new, although speculation did start to disappear once Android-based phones hit the market last year. But this is the second time a Google phone rumor has popped up in recent weeks, and Arrington’s rumor bear a striking resemblance to what we’ve heard before.

The Real Google Phone

Taking a page out of Apple’s “we control the customer experience” playbook, Google reportedly wants to produce a handset that will be completely dictated by the team in Mountain View. Details about the phone are incredibly thin. There’s no word on what kind of specs the handset would have, but potential manufacturers for the phone, according to Arrington, include LG and Samsung. A major advertising campaign introducing the phone could reportedly start as early as January 2010.

Google will reportedly sell its phone directly to customers as well as through retailers. That suggests the search giant may not have a network partner on board, and would sell unsubsidized phones instead. Phones sold outside of the carrier system means the Google phone could cost as much as $500, and would have to run on a SIM-friendly GSM.

While a carrier-free Google phone would be an unusual move in the age of exclusivity contracts, it’s not unheard of. Handset makers such as RIM and Palm sell unlocked versions of their smartphones through Amazon and other retailers.

The suggestion that the phone will not be tied to a specific carrier, backs up a previous assertion by Northeast Securities analyst Ashok Kumor who made similar claims last month after Google’s “design partners” filled him about the phone, according to the Street.com.

The iPhone is Not Beta
A phone experience created and designed exclusively by Google will inevitably draw comparisons with Apple’s iPhone. And, as Arrington points out, for good reason. Just as the iPhone is Apple’s vision of the handset, a Google-branded phone would be a competing vision of what the smartphone should be.

But while dictating the phone experience makes sense for Apple — a company that has a long history in designing polished hardware — Google is not about launching polished products. Can the company that made beta a punchline deliver on a complete customer experience the first time around? Sure, the original iPhone lacked smartphone basics like cut-and-paste, video capability, and MMS. But with the exception of video, those are all software issues. The fact is, from a hardware perspective, the original iPhone was a revolutionary and complete product. There’s no question iPhone hardware has improved over time, but that doesn’t take anything away from the original design.

Google, on the other hand, is all about delivering an incomplete product and then fixing and improving it over time. But you can’t do that with a physical product. For smartphones there is no such thing as beta. You either get it right at launch or you don’t. It’s as simple as that.

Another question is how Google’s Android partners will react to a Google phone? As my colleague JR Raphael pointed out last month, Google has worked hard to convince manufacturers to embrace the Android platform. Changing roles from Android facilitator to Android competitor, could hamper those efforts.

Samsung Preston S5603
P14,000
www.samsung.com.ph

During the second quarter of the year, Samsung introduced the Samsung Star (S5233), a 2G feature-packed full touch phone that was easy on the budget.

The Samsung Star has experienced great success in the country with new owners raving about its features. With this, Samsung is once again thrilled to introduce the Samsung Star’s brother, the Samsung Preston (S5603).

New owners of the Samsung Preston will surely be proud to display this phone’s compact, slim (measuring a mere 12.9mm in thickness) and sleek design.

Internet browsing will even be an enjoyable experience with the Samsung Preston’s 3G capabilities with HSDPA speeds of up to 7.2mbps and accelerometer, the technology that allows for portrait or landscape view when the phone is rotated. Not to mention, the Samsung Preston’s widget allow for both local and online applications to be easily displayed and accessed. Knowing one’s calendar schedule or even accessing one’s online social network account can be done with a simple touch of a finger.

The Samsung Preston also boasts of an excellent full touch user interface with it’s 2.8-inch LCD providing crystal clear QVGA resolution and haptic feedback that allows users to be informed of every action done on the touch screen.

And, the Samsung Preston is great for entertainment with it’s 3.0mpx camera and smile shot feature, video recording and playback as well as listening to mp3s and the FM radio.

In the Philippines, the Samsung Preston is available at all Samsung mobile phone dealers at a suggested retail price of P 14,000.

Ranj Basi, Abenson Avant marketing manager, addresses the attendees as she unveils the new series of LED TVs from Samsung.

Samsung’s newest series of LED TVs, the Samsung UA40b6000 and UA4B7000 have hit the Philippines through efforts of the country’s leading concept store of lifestyle electronics and appliance, Abenson Avant.

“Abenson Avant is thrilled to have been chosen as the first electronic and appliance store in Manila to offer tech lovers these new Samsung LED TVs,” says marketing manager Ranj Basi.  ”It’s all part of our goal to provide our loyal customers only the best and the latest innovations in the market.”

Exclusive to Abenson Avant, these LED TVs create images by using white, light-emitting diodes (LED)–the same technology found in laptop screens. This feature allows lesser energy consumption while offering more precise control of color, contrast and clarity.

“Abenson Avant assures customers that they only get the best and the latest innovations in the market such as Samsung’s LED TV,” says Basi.

Truly a significant advancement in Philippine TV viewing, Basi explains that Samsung’s top-of-the-line LED TV puts the country at par with the rising new technologies worldwide.  These new screens boast of having a 3000000:1 contrast ratio and follow a green slant by using a LED light source that is Mercury-free.

“Our store has been pushing environmental and energy efficiency through its wide array of eco-friendly appliances and electronics such as the new Samsung LED TV series,” says Basi.

Abenson Avant invites Filipino techies to visit any Abenson Avant store and be among the LED TV pioneers in the country and own this innovation.   The electonics and appliance gives special promotions and deals for customers who would want to own Samsung’s LED TV. They can also get it on instalment at 0% interest, using any major credit cards.

“By featuring this latest series of Samsung LED TVs, Abenson Avant is giving Pinoy tech lovers the access to top-of-the-line goods in the electronics and appliance market-making us Filipinos at par in terms of technology worldwide,” ends Basi.

It was business as usual at BroadcastAsia2009 and CommunicAsia2009 this week as 54,354 attendees congregated at Asia’s largest media and infocomm trade event. Of the total number of attendees, 49% came from outside of Singapore, hailing from about 100 countries and regions across Asia-Pacific, Europe, US and the Middle-East.

Spanning 58,000 square metres, the exhibitions featured 1,923 exhibiting companies from 60 countries and regions. The shows saw a total of 34 group pavilions, with countries like Belgium, Brunei Darussalam and Vietnam participating for the very first time.

Exhibitors were pleased with the event, citing the opportunity to network and discuss business deals with high quality visitors as the key reason.  “BroadcastAsia2009 and CommunicAsia2009 is clearly the most important platform in the Asia Pacific region for the industry to launch products, make announcements and network.  We are encouraged by the positive feedback from exhibitors.  80 per cent of exhibitors have already indicated that they will be participating in the shows in 2010,” said Mr Stephen Tan, chief executive of show organizer, Singapore Exhibition Services.

Quality customers at BroadcastAsia2009

Long time exhibitor of the show, Panasonic, was pleased with the business opportunities made at BroadcastAsia2009. Panasonic Systems Asia Pacific’s assistant general manager for its Broadcast Regional Operation Centre, Max Khang said, “This year celebrates our 10th year at BroadcastAsia. SES had gone the extra mile to create more potential client interaction opportunities for Panasonic, creating an unexpected increase in sales revenue for us.”

Panasonic’s success at the show was fuelled by their full High-Definition (HD) 3D mini theatre. The HD 3D 10-minute movie saw a constant string of viewers throughout the four days, and had many people talking about 3D in HD broadcasting as the new frontier.

Another satisfied exhibitor is Playbox, one of the world’s leading innovators and manufacturers of IT-based television technology. “Playbox is an international organization and we are gradually expanding our Asian presence. While this year’s economic climate has proved to be a challenge, we are indeed pleased that we’ve not only managed to garner new customers at BroadcastAsia, at the same time, our booth has been overcrowded with visitors on a daily basis,” said Peter Petrov, Playbox’s advertising manager.

The spotlight was on the Singapore Pavilion at BroadcastAsia. With more than 20 local companies taking part for the first time, interactive digital media was one of the main features. One such project is “Wish Singapore” developed by PGK Media. Making its debut at this year’s National Day, the gigantic floating LED cylindrical display will feature Singaporeans’ well wishes at Marina Bay.

IPTV in the spotlight at BroadcastAsia2009 International Conference

A hot topic at the conference this year is IPTV. Although IPTV is not a new idea, the challenge now is reinventing it into a more compelling feature. The day long discussions, chaired by David Wood, Head of Emerging Media at the European Broadcasting Union, talked about the technical issues surrounding IPTV, and business opportunities such as how IPTV can differentiate itself from other TV services.

The session also looked at how advertising revenues can be derived from operating an IPTV service. Participants at the IPTV session explored the possibility of combining IPTV’s Video-on-demand features with internet features such as social networking sites and virtual sites. The topic of discussion was also whether this would be successful, as participants also felt that internet-based content often lack the right business models.

Worldwide and regional launches at CommunicAsia2009

This year, crowds at CommunicAsia were treated to a range of new launches, including the latest mobile devices from the industry’s market leaders. At the show, LG unveiled its Crystal GD900, the world’s first transparent phone, while Samsung introduced its next era of smartphones in a worldwide launch. The highly-anticipated, new Samsung Jet supports the latest smartphone features which include multi-task manager and Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync, bringing user-friendly menu navigations in a sleek and compact design. Garmin and ASUS also leveraged on CommunicAsia’s high profile to launch its first ever collaboration, the Garmin-ASUS nuvifones G60, a smartphone with location based capabilities.

With green revolution taking centre stage this year, CommunicAsia saw over 40 companies showcasing their green solutions. Indian vendor VNL took this opportunity to launch the world’s first 100% solar-powered GSM base station while companies such as ZTE and Samsung introduced handsets made from recycled materials.

“CommunicAsia provided the perfect platform for the Broadband Forum to promote the strength and progress of the broadband subscriber growth worldwide.  It also gave us the opportunity to meet and educate an influential level of executives throughout Asia” said Robin Mersh, chief operating officer of the global consortium.  The Broadband Forum announced the latest broadband statistics, which showed Asia leading the way with broadband connections, jumping by a third compared to 4% growth globally.

Results for NAVTEQ’s second annual Global LBS Challenge for the Asia-Pacific region was announced at CommunicAsia2009.  Japan-based Navitime took the grand prize for its application of the same name, bagging over $557,500 in cash, tools and data licenses and handsets from NAVTEQ.  Thomas Tierney, developer alliance manager for NAVTEQ said this year saw a wider variety of categories and some new technologies like the ability to pan and tilt maps with the handset and geo-tagged handset broadcasting.

Discussing business strategies at CommunicAsia2009 Summit

The CommunicAsia2009 Summit attracted an impressive 700 delegates and saw an exciting line-up of up-to-date topics in the infocomm industry.  The attendance by heavyweight speakers provided delegates with powerful insights to addressing the most current issues faced in today’s global marketplace.

At the CEO Perspectives which kicked off the summit, telecommunications bigwigs shared about the need to invest in their networks, go all-IP and embrace their competition in matters like infrastructure sharing.  Dato’ Zam Isa, Group CEO of Telekom Malaysia asserts that the business model for telcos is not about voice anymore. “You have to change your mindset and move up the value chain and become an enabler of any-to-any services,” he said.

A boost for the region’s CG industry

Held in conjunction with BroadcastAsia2009, CG Overdrive 2009 saw a line up of elite CG artists from world famous studios speaking at the conference and Professional Tracks, which are lecture-style workshops that impart specific skills to CG professionals. The sessions gave participants an opportunity to interact with industry big names from Pixar, Lucasfilm Animation Singapore, and even renowned concept development visionary and illustrator, Craig Mullins. In its fourth edition, CG Overdrive has grown with the increasing demand for local content from Singapore by bringing in a stellar group of speakers who are gurus in their specialised fields of CG to share their expert knowledge with participants.

Public-Private partnerships for e-government initiatives

The inaugural iGov Global Exchange drew 600 leading e-Government experts from 27 countries to discuss opportunities and challenges in developing successful e-Government programmes.  Singapore’s senior minister Goh Chok Tong shared about good governance in his 45 years’ experience in government at the opening of the iGov Global Exchange. Urging the public sector to open up e-government platforms to the private sector, he said that government agencies should take the role of facilitator and enabler, and evolve from “being the sole provider of services to being a provider of a platform”.

Speakers from the industry and various government agencies shared their experience on implementing e-Government initiatives in countries including Canada, France, Hong Kong, Italy, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, the UAE and the United States. In addition, the programme for delegates included visiting the iGov exhibition at CommunicAsia and site visits to some of the government infocomm projects in Singapore.