October 2005 Archives

Trick or treat? 

Bill Gates recently predicted that single handheld devices will be introduced to meet all our audio/video/communication needs as well as the imminent death of physical music and film formats such as CD and DVDs. 

Speaking at the inaugural Internet Advertising Bureau’s Engage 2005 conference in London last week, he also noted that current mobile phones have only scratched the surface of their potential and outlined what could be achieved with voice-activated, GPS-enabled handsets connected to computers that will have “disappeared into the environment as we are all connected to the Internet.”

He and other speakers spoke about the importance for new technology to be developed that will help people, rather than just creating another flashy gadget -- technology can only serve as a bridge, never as a destination.  Regarding Microsoft, Gates noted that Microsoft systems offer unbelievable power, but the emphasis must be on how to write software to make this power work for the user -- “empowering technology is about everyone being enabled.”

Yoda breaks it down.

Check out the funny Yoda rap dance video courtesy of Google Video. Amazing what a little time on your hands and some creative computer video editing can do. The Star Wars Kid videos are still my all time fave though.

Garmin has also launched two really huge StreetPilot models, the 7200 and 7500. When I say huge, I mean really huge - as in a 7 inch LCD screen for the Garmin 7200 and a whopping 7.5" for the Garmin 7500! I don't foresee either of these GPS models fitting on most typical car dashboards, I think it's probably too high and will hit the windshield. This may explain why they are pitching this GPS solution as "designed for larger vehicles such as RVs, semi-trucks, and buses, which tend to have less of an angle for their windshields and a wider dashboard as well.

It does have some cool features though. The 7000-series GPS models are WAAS enabled, an optional XM Radio, traffic and weather updates, and can play back MP3 files and books downloaded from Audible.com. Traffic is delivered to the 7000 series through the GTM 10, GTM 11 or GXM 30 antenna (purchased separately). You can get traffic alerts broadcasted by Clear Channel in select U.S. cities with the GTM 10 or GTM 11 FM TMC traffic receiver. Traffic services accessed with the GXM 30 Smart Antenna require a subscription to XM NavTraffic.

The face of the StreetPilot 7200 and 7500 only has one button — an on/off switch. The side and back of the unit houses integrated internal speaker, mini USB port, AV input, SD card slot and 3.5 mm audio jack. A wireless infrared alphanumeric remote control that allows easy operation of the device from a distance is standard equipment.

The main distinguishing feature is of course the large widescreen. Garmin says this model is targeted at truckers, bus drivers and those who want to "trick out" their vehicles with a large screen capabile of a DVD movie watching experience via the composite video input. The 7200 is 7 inches and the 7500 tops out at 7.5 inches for connecting any composite video device such as a DVD player or camera.

You'll need all the room you can get to hook up either of these two GPS models in your vehicle. The price for the large screens on the 7200 and the 7500 along with all the other GPS features will run you about $1,600 and $1,900 respectively. A small price to pay for having the most "tricked out" GPS solution on the street? You decide.

Garmin announced a few new GPS solutions today, including a new GPS-enabled Pocket PC called the Garmin iQue M4, which is similar to the Garmin iQue M5. Although I did not get my hands on the iQue M4 (yet), I thought I'd provide my insights since I have seen many GPS solutions and can get a good feel of the iQue M4 just from the feature specs. First, this is the first Garmin Pocket PC to come
pre-loaded with City Navigator North America NT covering the United States, Canada, and Puerto Rico. There’s no need for downloads from your PC, although with only 64MB of RAM, you'll probably need to download maps if you travel to another area of the world. It also includes a built-in MP3 player that lets users browse music by artist, album, song, and genre and the music can be loaded onto an (optional) SD card. They also included a new higher-sensitivity SiRF GPS receiver.

The "ho-hum" factor is that this isn’t much of an improvement over earlier Garmin models. For instance, no large SD card is included (1 GB would be nice) to hold a nice huge chunk of maps. It has 64MB of RAM and 32MB of ROM. Also, the M4 runs on Windows Mobile 2003 SE, rather than the Microsoft's latest PocketPC OS. It also runs on a a 312MHz processor, includes an SD/MMC memory card slot, a 3.5-inch, QVGA display. It will retail for $749.99 when it goes on sale.

The biggest "ho-hum" factor is that for $749.99 you can buy a brand new bleeding-edge PocketPC and then add in GPS software from Destinator or TomTom. Someone also told me that Garmin "locks" their PocketPC GPS solution so you can't really install any third-party PocketPC applications, making the PocketPC a strictly GPS device plus whatever else Garmin adds in (MP3 player). Not sure if that's true or not, but if it is, then this is yet another reason why I'd rather buy a high-end PocketPC, a Bluetooth GPS, and then buy the leading GPS software of my choosing.

Garmin makes good quality GPS units and if you want a Garmin iQue M4, you can pick one up on Amazon for a cheap price. If you want to see other user reviews, click here

I wrote about Nero's entry into the VoIP space a long time ago and was actually taken aback when I read Nero's press releases espousing their VoIP functionality. I was like "Huh? What? My favorite CD/DVD burning software company is in the VoIP space?" Today, Nero is introducing SIPPS Connect, a VoIP softphone application with voice, IM, and video built-in. Before you start thinking "Gee, just what we need - another softphone client", I should point out some of the the interesting key features of the Nero softphone that do set it apart from some of the others.

First, Nero's SIPPS Connect is based on open standards, including Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Nero leverages its experience with compression technology to
provide top-quality MPEG-4 and H.263 video streams for excellent quality videoconferencing.

"Voice over IP is growing rapidly, and changing the way people view personal communication," says Udo Eberlein, President of Nero Inc. "We've proven SIPPS with major internet telephony service providers and corporate clients, and now we're bringing it to market in a form that anybody can use and enjoy."

SIPPS Connect covers the basics such as voicemail, 3-way group calling, caller ID, call waiting, and call forwarding to a land line or cell phone. Additionly, SIPPS Connect can record and play back an unlimited number of calls, and users can even connect to SIPPS from across the Internet to check their voice mail remotely. A Quick Dial pad makes calling one-click simple. SIPPS Connect can synchronize with the Contacts list in Microsoft Outlook or Outlook Express.

One interesting feature is that it lets users pick their favorite tunes to be their on-hold music, which harkens me to my recent anti-ringback tone blog entry. Nero also encrypts the calls for added security. According to Nero they've eliminated the need to juggle between multiple IM accounts. SIPPS Connect provides an IM module able to work on a multitude of messaging networks and can also run conferences allowing users on multiple IM systems to converse in one shared chat space.

With SIPPS Connect, users can get their own free phone numbers, and like most other softphone clients, all calls to other SIPPS clients are free. Nero has partnered with service provider SIPTalk to provide users with various calling plans including a $19.95/month unlimited calling plan to anywhere in the U.S. or Canada. (check out the other SIPTalk/Nero plans)

Participating retailers now carry Nero SIPPS Connect for $29.99, featuring two SIPPS licenses and a high quality microphone headset. Single-license ESD pricing is $24.99 and can be downloaded directly from Nero at www.sippstar.com.

I should also mention that Nero SIPPS also provides a TAPI interface and Outlook synchronization.

My only complaint? It's a retail softphone client requiring you to dole out some cash to use it. Is the world ready for a licensed softphone client to be sold on retail shelves? I'm honestly not sure about that. Also, why doesn't Nero offer a 30-day trial of SIPPS Connect like they do with their popular Nero Burning ROM software? I still think the VoIP softphone client is very much a "try it and if we like it we'll use it" marketplace. Consumers are not going to pay for a VoIP softphone client that they can't at least try first. One of the main reasons why Skype was so successful was that it was a free download.

Of course, Skype's model was to make money on SkypeIn and SkypeOut while Nero is strictly a software company making money on software licenses. Maybe I'm wrong and the market is ready to pay for good VoIP software with high quality video, interoperable IM built-in, and encryption and others bells & whistles without first trying the software for free. Feel free to prove me wrong by posting your thoughts in the comments.

AskMeNow's AskAnything service is designed to answer just about any question for which the answer can be found on the Internet. The product reminds me of the TellMe service, which leverages the Internet and telephone network underneath a speech user interface. According to TellMe, over two million callers use their applications to obtain customer service, connect to a directory assistance listing, or check the latest sports scores.

AskMeNow appears to be a bit different in that it doesn't leverage speech recognition as far as I can tell. I believe they use customer agents to process your questions and send you back the results. According to AskMeNow, their product is "a mobile lifestyle that allows users to simply call or text any request for information from their mobile device, and receive exactly what they requested in moments – anywhere, any time".

Here's how it works...

1. After you sign up, simply call (585) 419-0412 from your cell phone or BlackBerry handheld and ask your question.
2. The detailed answer is text messaged to your cell phone (or e-mailed to your BlackBerry handheld) within moments.

According to AskMeNow, "our family friendly policy prevents us from answering questions that do not meet our editorial standards. We also can't answer multiple questions simultaneously (only one at a time) or in depth research questions." I guess asking any explicit sexual questions are out of the question.

Registered users can call (585) 419-0412 from their mobile phones to ask questions, and they claim that answers will be text messaged back to the phone within moments. AskMeNow also offers a downloadable application for registered users with most BlackBerry Handheld devices. The application can be obtained by visiting www.askmenow.com/blackberry/ota.html from your BlackBerry handheld browser. Users of the application can submit text based questions from their BlackBerry device.

According to Park Associates, HDTV sales in the U.S. will grow 71% by 2009. Gee, you couldn't fool me. I have a 65" Mitsubishi television at home and my cable provider (Charter) still only offers me 4 HDTV channels via their set-top box. I'm not a huge WB fan, but I do like to watch Smallville, and the WB is available in HDTV, but alas, not by Charter. So I often prefer to just download an episode of Smallville via the P2P Bittorrent network since it's a higher quality version than the one on broadcast TV.

Appetite for high-definition TVs & services is steadily increasing among U.S. consumers Television manufacturers will see a surge in cumulative HDTV sales over the next few years, which will boost the overall market value to $65 billion by 2009, according to "Adoption of High-Definition TVs and Services," a new study from Parks Associates.

The report, which includes data from Parks Associates' "Mobile Entertainment Platforms & Services" study, finds consumers are growing less skeptical about HDTV, which is creating a gradual increase in demand for high-definition products and services. Nearly 47% of TV households in the U.S. plan to buy an HDTV in the next twelve months. This increase would boost HDTV sales by 30% and HD video services by 38% by the end of 2006.

"Consumers are beginning to see the true benefits of HDTV," said Deepa Iyer, a research analyst at Parks Associates. "Consumers who were once hesitant to spend huge dollars on an HDTV are now reconsidering this product category."

As a result, service providers, including broadcasters, cable, and DBS operators, are beginning to feel a push to expand their HD video services in order to attract more HD subscribers. Service providers, content producers, television and chipset manufacturers, and other solution providers are all working to bring more high-definition products and services to market, although Iyer warns that they need to ramp up their efforts. The overall market penetration for high-definition televisions and services is very low. The current subscription rate for HD programming is barely 10% among all digital video subscribers, while only 35% of total HDTV households subscribe to HD video services.

"It is a chain reaction," Iyer said. "An increase in HDTV sales will fuel the demand for other services including high-definition VOD, local content, primetime programming, and movies. However, this industry lacks a sense of urgency in its efforts to bring compelling HD services to consumers. It has to recognize that HDTV will become ubiquitous only if all collateral forces within come together to embrace the change."

Parks Associates will further examine the issue of meaningful content delivery at the upcoming executive conference "Fall Focus: Making Media Meaningful," hosted November 9-11, 2005, at the Fairmont San Jose. With sessions such as "Enhancing the Television Experience via Interactivity" and "The "Eyes" Have It: Video Content on Consumers' Terms," this event will feature analysis and discussion on the expanding paradigm for video services.
    
"Adoption of High-Definition TVs and Services" provides an analysis of the enablers, inhibitors, and opportunities for high-definition TVs and services in the U.S. It provides insight into service providers' strategies and consumer behavior patterns for next-generation services and applications.

Russell Shaw's blog brought to my attention an interesting BusinessWeek article quoting SBC CEO Edward Whitacre where he basically says in so many words, "VoIP providers will have to 'pay to play' on SBC's broadband pipes". Check out the exact quote from the article.

How do you think they're going to get to customers? Through a broadband pipe. Cable companies have them. We have them. Now what they would like to do is use my pipes free, but I ain't going to let them do that because we have spent this capital and we have to have a return on it. So there's going to have to be some mechanism for these people who use these pipes to pay for the portion they're using. Why should they be allowed to use my pipes?

The Internet can't be free in that sense, because we and the cable companies have made an investment and for a Google or Yahoo! or Vonage or anybody to expect to use these pipes [for] free is nuts!

Talk about calling the kettle black. Edward Whitacre is nuts for suggesting VoIP providers should pay a "surcharge" to ride on top of "his" broadband pipes. If you take what he suggests, then not only should Vonage and the other broadband players "pay" to ride on SBC's pipes, but so should all the other Internet applications and Internet application service providers. That includes email, FTP, Web access, IM, video, streaming music, and all the other Internet applications. For example, this would mean that Hotmail should pay SBC a surcharge for using "their" broadband pipe to deliver email to Hotmail subscribers that use SBC's broadband pipes. Gee, I thought when customers paid $50/month for broadband Internet access that included unlimited and unrestricted access to the Internet. If SBC is going to start censoring which applications its customers can or cannot use, then the U.S. is no better than China when it comes to unrestricted Internet access.

Why should voice be treated any differently than any other Internet application? The Internet predated Voice over IP and I don't recall the ISPs saying "we have spent this capital and we have to have a return on it." That is to say, the ISPs have never requested that the email service providers needed to pay a surcharge or that the Web hosting companies had to pay a surcharge to terminate their data in order to recoup their capital investment. You simply recoup your investment by charging your customers a recurring monthly fee and by bundling other applications. Often times the cable companies and the carriers are in a much better position than smaller ISPs or "single play VoIP providers" (such as Vonage, Packet8), since they can bundle multiple services and drive out competition through creative and cost-competitive pricing schemes - not to mention the convenience factor of a single provider, single billing, etc.

Just because voice is a "premium" application that the carriers have traditionally made huge profits with huge margins doesn't give them the right to continue their monopolistic and protectionist ways. The genie is out of the bottle, Mr. Whitacre and there is nothing you can do to stop it - not even stupid, unfounded remarks made to a magazine publication. C'mon Edward, your argument has more holes and flaws in it than the Internet Explorer browser. Get real!

More than 170 top companies, hundreds of new products in the consumer electronics, online and video game categories at DigitalLife 2005 in New York!  Which ones really mattered?

The editors from PC Magazine, Sync magazine and the Ziff Davis Game Group gave these products (including best booth) the nod:
* Best of Show Overall: Microsoft's Xbox 360
* Portable Gear: Creative's Zen Vision
* Home Theater Gear: HP's Pavilion MD6580 Microdisplay TV
* Digital Lifestyle Service: Streamload's Media Max
* Game Hardware: RedOctane's Guitar Hero
* Game Software: LucasArts' Star Wars Battlefront II
* Gift for Kids: WowWee's Roboraptor
* Gift for Grown-ups: XM Satellite Radio's Roady XT
* Hippest Booth: Napster
* Best Future Technology: Toshiba's HD DVD player
* Best Show Experience: Nokia's booth

Let’s see how these do when they hit the marketplace …

The Global Gaming League (GGL) is providing Internet coverage of BlizzCon, the pre-eminent gathering for Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo fans, in Anaheim, CA, today and tomorrow.  Blizzcon showcases the developers of World of Warcraft ("WoW") and StarCraft: Ghost.  WoW is the world’s largest multiplayer online game with more than

4 million subscribers.  This year’s Blizzcon is expected to draw the largest online audience for any event in video gaming history via GGL’s website, www.ggl.com. Coverage both days begins at 10:00 AM and ends at 10:00 PM.

Last year, DigitalLife was a new, untried idea – taking a consumer-focused version of the Las Vegas-based, to-the-trade-only Consumer Electronics Show (CES) and holding it in New York City.  As I wrote last year, the 2004 show was a great success and this year’s show was even better.  Attendance at DigitalLife 2005 topped 44,700 for the three-day show at the Javits Center -- and let me tell you, it was packed the day I was there! 

This digital playground for consumer technology buyers (and tire-kickers) featured more than 170 of the consumer electronics and video game industry's most prominent companies displaying their latest digital gadgets, video games and online services.  It is always amazing to see the convergence of technology, entertainment and communications continuing as it continues to accelerate.

What would any show be without new product introductions and DigitalLife 2005 was no exception.  There were scores of new product launches and innovative product demonstrations from both leading and emerging technology companies – the latest and greatest in digital music, home entertainment equipment, video games, HDTVs, mobile computing, personal computers, cell phones, digital photography, digital video and broadband Internet access.  Just some of the leading companies at DigitalLife 2005 included AMD, Creative Labs, eBay, Turner, HP, Intel, Logitech, LucasArts, Microsoft, NEC, Nokia, Palm, Sega, Sony Online, T-Mobile, TiVo, Toshiba, Verizon and XM Satellite Radio.  (Quite an interesting mix …)

Next time, I’ll begin taking a closer look at some of the most innovative products I found as I toured the aisles at the show.

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VOCAL Technologies, Ltd. (www.vocal.com), a developer of software and hardware solutions for the communications industry, gave me an exclusive on their new line of analog telephone adapters (ATAs) that will support Skype Internet phone service, extending Skype service to any conventional or cordless phone. Although this is a Skype-compatible ATA, the ATA still relies on the host PC to run Skype. So this is not a "standalone" Skype ATA device (Skype client embedded into the ATA) which many Skype users have been clamoring for.

However, I did contact the PR person representing VOCAL Technologies and asked, "How does this ATA connect to the Skype software running on the PC? Is it over the LAN or via USB?" This is important since I'd prefer an ATA to sit on the network rather than be connected to the PC using USB. Sitting on the network opens up the possibility that the Skype ATA could be configured in a redundant configuration. For instance, the VOCAL Skype ATA could in theory communicate over IP to two or more PCs running the Skype client. I don't know if they have that capability since I haven't been able to get in direct touch with VOCAL Technologies to ask this question.

In any event, in addition to Skype service, S-Link compatible ATAs will be capable of simultaneously supporting up to four other traditional VoIP service providers, as well as the use of FXO ports for local calls. S-Link is also able to extending this multi-provider service to allow any phone in the home to access Skype, VoIP, or local calls.

The VOCAL S-Link ATA collaborates with Skype software running on a host PC to provide ATA functionality through the Skype network.Skype dialing and navigation is performed using VOCAL’s patent-pending digit-based name matching procedures with audible feedback.

“This product leverages the existing Skype infrastructure for those users who already have accounts and legitimizes the Skype platform as not only a VoIP provider but a solid competitor to traditional carriers,” said Ben Hoover, with VOCAL. “One major benefit of S-Link solution is its ability to utilize existing telephones in the home instead of requiring expensive high-quality computer headsets to access VoIP services.”

VOCAL will introduce Skype-L functionality as a standard feature to the VOCAL line of ATAs beginning in February 2006.

Juniper Networks has been very busy at Internet Telephony Conference and Expo announcing a few worthy news items. I've been busy, so didn't have time to blog these when the stories broke.

- Juniper Networks, Inc. two days ago announced it had acquired Acorn Packet Solutions, Inc. in a cash transaction valued at up to approximately $8.7 million. Acorn Packet Solutions develops products and technologies that natively connect legacy Time Division Multiplexing (TDM) and other circuit-based applications across next-generation IP networks.

- Juniper Networks has announced a network security solution designed to defend voice over IP (VoIP) systems from session initiation protocol (SIP)-based attacks.

The Dynamic Threat Mitigation solution brings Juniper's routers and intrusion detection and prevention (IDP) systems with its service deployment system (SDX) to create a single unified security solution. The solution mitigates SIP-based denial of service (DoS) attacks and worms by allowing enterprises and providers to identify and respond to them individually.

Juniper's IDP system identifies potential threats to the centralized IDP Manager, which generates requests for action to the SDX. The SDX invokes the appropriate response, applying rate limits and filters on traffic flows. In the event that the IDP system detects an actual infection, the SDX policy server can quarantine and notify the affected user, redirecting him to a captive web portal

- Lucent Technologies two days ago announced that it has joined Juniper Networks Managed Security Services Provider (MSSP) alliance program. The relationship now includes a focus on providing best-in-class managed security solutions, services and networking support.

As a part of the Juniper Networks J-Partner solutions alliance program, Lucent and Juniper will conduct joint-marketing and sales initiatives, including co-marketing efforts and shared lead generation, focusing on managed
security solutions.

In addition, Lucent Worldwide Services (LWS) unit will market its managed security services to support Juniper Networks range of best-in-class security solutions, targeted at both service providers and enterprises. Specifically, the LWS-Juniper Networks managed security solution will focus on Managed Firewall Services (MFS), Managed Intrusion Detection/Prevention Systems (MIDPS), and Managed Virtual Private Networking (MVPN) services.

I actually briefly met with a representative from Lucent a couple of days ago and they stressed the fact that Lucent is no longer merely an equipment provider using their own internally developed hardware, but rather they have become a major "professional services" company providing assistance in integrating non-Lucent equipment in a holistic fashion. Much of that equipment is from past or even current competitors. The days of "what's mine is mine and what's yours is yours" in the datacom & telecom worls are practically no more. The horizontal "silos' are being town down and vertical integration across competing platforms is the name of the game.

Consumer electronics "Gadgets" blogger Randy Savicky has written about consumer electronics for nearly three decades from both sides of the editor’s desk – first as a journalist with some of the top consumer and trade publications and most recently as a public relations executive at some of the world’s largest public relations agencies. His writing, for example, spans the history of personal portable audio products – from Sony’s Walkman to Apple’s iPod – and such technology trends as the “classic” format war – Betamax vs. VHS -- to Zigbee and home automation standards.

In his “day job” as President and CEO of Strategy + Communications Worldwide, Inc. (http://www.strategypluscommunications.com), he helps companies communicate better to their key audiences to achieve their business goals faster and more easily. In that role, his advice and counsel on helping consumer and technology companies improve their communications has been called upon by some of the world’s largest corporations and best-known brands, including Apple, Fujifilm, IBM, Motorola and Sony, and he has always worked with many start-up, early stage and pre-IPO companies.

He can be reached at (203) 226-6156.

I just wanted to share this quick bit of news from Iotum and Epygi before I head back into the exhibit hall. Iotum has some interesting & innovative technology that I will have to check out on the show floor. You can get a flavor for Iotum does from the release below. Epygi also has some interesting VoIP technology targetting the VoIP SMB market. I actually reviewed their product for Internet Telephony here.

Iotum to support Epygi Quadro 3.1 release iotum Relevance Engine™ to be integrated with Epygi Quadro

(Los Angeles, CA and Ottawa, Ontario—October 26, 2005) iotum, developers of the iotum Relevance EngineTM, today announced support for Epygi Technologies Quadro line of IP PBX’s.

iotum and Epygi have formed a strategic alliance to develop and deploy Voice 2.0 offerings based on iotum’s patent-pending Relevance Engine for Epygi’s SOHO and small to medium Business customers.

Epygi’s Quadro IP PBX already combines firewall, router, IP PBX and voicemail, as well as delivering customers enhanced features like call queues within a single affordable box for small and medium businesses.
iotum’s Relevance Engine is the world’s first application to intelligently assess the significance of any call, and automatically routes that call to the most appropriate destination. Together, the Quadro IP PBX and iotum’s Relevence Engine delivers the perfect combination of hardware, software and applications for the growing business.

“The small business world is all about human contact,”
said Dr. Howard Thaw, Co-Founder and Chief Operating Officer of Iotum. “For small businesses, iotum cost effectively mimics the skills of an assistant, including knowing how to really handle important callers that are on the line.”

Integrated with calendar, presence and contacts, iotum’s Relevance Engine utilizes user preferences and context to determine the importance of each call and then intelligently routes the call to the proper place.

“Our customers want advanced applications from phone systems. iotum’s Relevance Engine provides the first quantum leap in feature enhancements beyond the already available set that most IP-PBX solutions offer today,” said Jeff Kirchner, CEO/President of Epygi.
“With the Relevance Engine active, the right call gets to the right person, at the right time.”

The iotum Relevance Engine will be available for Epygi Quadro owners in 2006.