Archive for June, 2005
In what might be the shrewdest move by a console manufacturer since Sony came up with the Playstation concept, Microsoft are chewing over the possibility of licensing the Xbox OS to third party developers.
This opens up the extraordinary prospect of playing Xbox games directly through your TV, on a handheld, or even on a PC. The possibilities are endless and third party manufacturers would have the time and energy to bring such niche products to market.
What the rumours don’t tell us is whether we are talking about the existing Xbox software, or the new Xbox 360. Neither is it clear whether Microsoft will maintain strict branding controls (likely).
This goes against all the ‘rules’ of the console market where manufacturers and software developers are one and the same and where the name of the game is trapping a user into buying your hardware and your hardware alone.
June 30th, 2005
Vodafone today announced plans to allow its subscribers to use an instant messaging system which will integrate with MSN Messenger. Users will be able to see when MSN contacts are online and will be able to exchange messages with them, just as they would from their PC.
The service will be based on the familiar mobile commercial model of “Calling Party Pays.” As they do today, Vodafone customers will prepay or pay for the service through their monthly bill, while MSN Messenger customers will be able to pay through packages available in connection with MSN Messenger.
The service will bring together customers of MSN Messenger, the world’s largest instant messaging service with more than 165 million customers worldwide, and Vodafone, which has almost 155 million customers around the world, as messaging continues to grow in popularity on PCs and mobile phones. Building on and complementing the messaging success of SMS, instant messaging between PCs and mobile phones enables new service benefits to customers such as immediacy, the ability to tell whether a contact is available to receive a message (presence) and the ability to see the text of whole conversations. By adding the service functionality of IM and by connecting MSN and Vodafone customers, both companies expect more frequent interaction between PC and mobile customers, resulting in more traffic.
“MSN and Vodafone are working to enhance messaging between mobile phones and PCs, ultimately delivering a richer experience to customers,” said Blake Irving, corporate vice president of the MSN Communication Services and Member Platform group at Microsoft Corp. “By enabling our customers to see each other’s presence on both PC and mobile devices, we are expanding our customers’ ability to make smart communication choices and connect instantly via IM to the people they care about most.”
“We have brought together two of the world’s largest messaging communities with a first of its kind for both industries — a seamless PC-to-mobile instant messaging service. Vodafone customers will now be able to use IM and its additional service benefits to stay in touch with mobile and PC friends and family,” said Peter Bamford, chief marketing officer for Vodafone. “IM is a growing part of the increasingly important mobile messaging market. By bringing our collective customers together, we’ll deliver more options for staying in touch when messaging. Our agreement will grow IM and SMS, meaning additional revenue for Vodafone.”
MSN and Vodafone plan to launch the enhanced messaging service in several European countries before the end of the year.
June 30th, 2005
The Cell processor which will power the forthcoming Playstation 3 is being licensed to US firm Mercury Computer Systems for use in systems such as MRI scanners and radar processing systems.
“Mercury and engineers from IBM’s Engineering and Technology Services unit will collaborate to develop products with dramatically improved performance for graphic-intensive workloads and computationally intensive applications,” say Mercury Computer Systems.
“The optimized Cell-based products will be targeted at current and new applications in medical imaging, industrial inspection, aerospace and defense, seismic processing, and telecommunications.”
Although much of the press about Cell has focussed on its potential application in games consoles and in multimedia devices, analysts believe that the bulk of sales will be to companies not involved in such high-profile devices.
We designed the Cell processor to be applicable in more applications than just games,” says Peter Hofstee, Cell chief scientist and architect for IBM. “Mercury is a superb example of a company that can take technology like this that is different from what is in the market now and start building up support that will enable it to move into a wider market.
June 30th, 2005
RTX Telecom, a world leader in wireless product development, today announced that the RTX developed Cordless DUALphone has received FCC approval as the first US DECT product in the world.
The Cordless DUALphone has been successfully launched in more than 45 other DECT markets in Europe, Africa and Asia, giving mobility to many Skype users in these regions. Now US-based Skype users will soon be able to cut the cords and move away from the PC when using Skype.
The DUALphone concept allows the same cordless handset to be used to place or receive calls both via the analog telephone network and via the internet, using e.g. Skype as a softphone.
DECT (Digital Enhanced Cordless Telecommunication), a worldwide standard for cordless phones, has gained FCC approval in April 2005.
The biggest advantage for DECT cordless phones, compared to other digital cordless phones operating in ISM bands such as the 2.4GHz band and the 5.8GHz band, is that they operate in a frequency band dedicated to DECT products, making these cordless phones truly “WiFi-friendly”.
For many years, RTX Telecom has served the industry as a design house for wireless products.
Now US DECT can be added to the large portfolio of technologies and products that RTX Telecom can develop for clients around the world. The latest addition to this list of products and clients has been the wireless gamepad developed for the Microsoft Xbox360.
“The opening of the US DECT frequency band will create a lot of opportunities for new cordless products to be introduced in the US market. RTX Telecom is certainly ready to help customers design and develop products that fulfill both market and FCC requirements,” says Jorgen Elbaek, CEO and President of RTX Telecom.
“I am very excited to see the world’s first US DECT product which RTX has developed. I am surprised at how fast RTX has developed the phone; the standard is extremely new. I see the potential of the US DECT market as huge, because US DECT offers excellent audio quality, and does not conflict with US WiFi systems, which is a major problem with the existing US cordless phones,” says Erich Kamperschroer, Chairman of the DECT Forum.
June 30th, 2005
AMD isn’t satisfied to launch legal action against Intel solely in the USA and has filed two claims against Intel Corporation’s Japanese subsidiary, Intel K.K., in the Tokyo High Court and the Tokyo District Court for damages arising from violations of Japan’s Antimonopoly Act.
The suit in the Tokyo High Court seeks US$50 million (approx. 5.5 billion yen) in damages, following on the Japan Fair Trade Commission (JFTC)’s findings in its March 8, 2005 Recommendation that Intel K.K. committed violations of the Antimonopoly Act. The JFTC Recommendation concluded that Intel K.K. interfered with AMD Japan’s business activities by providing large amounts of funds to five Japanese PC manufacturers (NEC, Fujitsu, Toshiba, Sony, and Hitachi) on the condition that they refuse to purchase AMD processors. As a result of these illegal acts, AMD Japan suffered serious damages, losing all of its sales to Toshiba, Sony, and Hitachi, while sales to NEC and Fujitsu also fell precipitously. The suit in the Tokyo High Court follows Intel K.K.’s acceptance of the JFTC Recommendation. In accepting the Recommendation, Intel K.K. did not dispute the JFTC findings.
An additional suit filed at the Tokyo District Court level seeks to recover millions of dollars in damages for various anticompetitive acts in addition to what is covered in the scope of the JFTC Recommendation. These anticompetitive acts also had the effect of interfering with AMD Japan’s right to engage in normal business and marketing activities.
In the complaint, AMD Japan points to the following specific examples of anticompetitive actions it claims have been taken by Intel:
* Instructing a Japanese PC manufacturer to remove from its product catalog and Internet website all computer models using processors made by AMD, in exchange for providing a large amount of funds to that manufacturer;
* Putting pressure on an AMD customer that was scheduled to attend a new product launch of AMD products. The customer eventually had to cancel its attendance at the new product launch;
* Interfering with a joint promotional event being held by AMD and a customer to promote PCs using a new processor developed by AMD. Just before the promotional event was scheduled to take place, Intel purchased all the PCs that had AMD processors and replaced them with PCs using Intel processors. Intel K.K. provided a large amount of funds to this customer as an incentive to cooperate in this last-minute interference.
These acts represent only the tip of the iceberg of Intel’s worldwide coercion of customers to prevent them from doing business with AMD Japan. AMD, the parent of AMD Japan, also filed suit in the United States on June 27, 2005 to stop Intel’s allegedly illegal business practices.
“These illegal actions have restricted fair competition and narrowed the choices available to consumers in the computer market,” said David M. Uze, AMD Japan’s president and representative director. “In March of this year, the JFTC clearly found that Intel K.K. violated the law. AMD Japan hopes to bring fair and open competition in the computer marketplace, allowing consumers to have a true choice.”
June 30th, 2005
DVD Jon has made available a patch that allows the Google Video Viewer, released on Monday, to play movies hosted on servers other than Google’s.
The Google Video Viewer is actually a modified version of the open-source VLC (VideoLAN Client).
Google seem a little non-plussed as to why DVD Jon, who became famous for cracking the CSS copy protection mechanism used by DVDs and for building a client that allows tunes to be purchased from iTunes without copy-protection being added to the file, would bother.
“We strongly advise users not to download this modification,” said Nathan Tyler, a Google spokesman. “It could result in security vulnerabilities in their computer and may disrupt their computer’s ability to access Google video.”
“We’ve designed our player to work well for our service. Once the player has been modified we can’t guarantee whether it will work well with our service.”
If anyone can come up with a useful application for a cracked Google Video Viewer, we’d love to hear it.
June 30th, 2005
Otter Products have extended its interactive, waterproof line to include two redesigned cases for 20G and 30/40/60G Apple iPods.
Created with digital music enthusiasts in mind, the OtterBox for iPod allows access to controls through a clear membrane. A hard screen cover protects the iPod display and provides screen visibility as well as rugged drop protection.
First released in 2004, the original Otter Products iPod case was well received by iPod owners. Customer feedback provided valuable information about design and functionality, making the newest iPod cases a reality.
“By combining customer response and the need for additional iPod protection, we decided the OtterBox for iPod needed an update,” said Curt Richardson, CEO of Otter Products, LLC. “The new case, inspired by the popular OtterBox for iPod Mini released earlier this year, allows users to take music virtually anywhere in a more compact and rugged design than before.”
The easy open and secure closing latch prevents water, dust, sand and other elements from ruining iPods and a belt clip allows hands-free carrying as well as integrated headphone cable management. An optional armband is available for even more flexibility.
With its innovative design, the OtterBox for iPod facilitates the use of any style headphones. Whether at the beach, gym, boating, hiking, canoeing, biking, swimming, or on vacation, this case offers durable protection for any adventure. The OtterBox for iPod 20G and 30/40/60G cases retail $49.95 each.
“The remodeled OtterBox for iPod is an ideal safeguard for iPods, especially when so much time, money and effort is put into downloading and collecting songs for the device,” said Brian Thomas, Director of Sales and Marketing for Otter Products. “With the new case, users can rest assured their investment is fully protected.”
With a complete line of iPod protection cases, Otter Products offers a 100% guaranteed solution for safeguarding digital music collections, a much better alternative than plastic bags.
June 29th, 2005
Video Without Boundaries announced today it has begun shipping the VWB MediaREADY 5000, its top-of-the-line advanced digital media center, to retailers and OEMs around the world.
As VWB’s most complete product, the MediaREADY 5000 connects people simply to all the possibilities found in their digital entertainment world. No bigger than a conventional VHS or DVD player, the MediaREADY 5000 delivers a Tivo-like Personal Video Recorder (PVR), DVD/MPEG 1, 2 and 4 playback, storage/retrieval via its onboard hard drive or PC-based home networked hard drive, electronic program guide, Internet browsing, email, MP3, WAV and CD playback, streaming video and audio, karaoke, games, and media jukebox.
Even more, for European consumers the MediaREADY 5000 also supports Freeview free-to-air digital television support based on DVB-T standards. The unit delivers a DVB-T program guide, European PAL broadcast support, and power conversion suitable for all European electrical currents.
“Video Without Boundaries’ MediaREADY 5000 is the digital home entertainment solution millions of consumers have been awaiting,” said Jeffrey Harrell, CEO and president of VWB. “With this unit, our customers will finally be able to connect all their digital entertainment alternatives more simply and easily than ever before.”
The MediaREADY 5000 digital media center uses the Linux operating system to create an open-standards product that will never become outdated or obsolete. With the MediaREADY 5000, users can enjoy a wealth of options such as recording live TV, watching a movie stored on their family room PC from their bedroom, playing hours of MP3 songs throughout the house, or answering email on their big-screen TV.
VWB’s MediaREADY 5000 comes complete with full-sized wireless keyboard and infrared remote control, 120 GB hard drive, and Firewire (400 Mbps) and 802.11 (54 Mbps) wireless or Ethernet (100 Mbps) wired support. The unit retails at an MSRP of $899 USD and is now available for retail or OEM delivery worldwide.
VWB expects to make specific retailer announcements regarding the MediaREADY 5000 in coming weeks. For a full guide to the MediaREADY 5000 advanced digital media center, go to www.vwbinc.com.
June 29th, 2005
Apple has simplified its iPod line, adding colour photo support to the white iPod range. The white line now consists of two models: a 20GB version that holds up to 5,000 songs and is priced at $299, and a 60GB model for $399. Both models feature the ability to import photos from a digital camera with the optional iPod Camera Connector and let users combine their favorite music and photos to create slideshows for viewing right on their iPod or for sharing with family and friends on a big screen TV.
Also starting today, iPods will offer an easy to use Podcast menu, including bookmarking within a Podcast and the ability to display Podcast artwork in colour.
At the same time Apple launched version 4.9 of the iTunes software adding support for podcasting, allowing users to will subscribe to over 3,000 free Podcasts and have each new episode automatically delivered.
“iPod customers love to enhance their listening experience with color,” said Greg Joswiak, Apple’s vice president of iPod Product Marketing. “By simplifying our iPod lineup to include 20GB and 60GB models with colour screens and the new Podcast menu, iPod and iTunes provide the world’s easiest and appealing way to discover, subscribe, manage and listen to Podcasts.”
“Bringing more customers into iTunes using the music store is a good thing from Apple’s perspective,” Eddy Cue, Apple’s vice president of applications, told Reuters. “We are very excited about bringing the next generation of radio to our customers.”
June 29th, 2005
Yesterday we brought you a snippet of news about the anti-trust complaint that AMD has filed against Intel. Today we can bring you more detail. It’s important to point out that the claims reported below are just that - claims and are currently unsubstantiated.
The 48-page complaint explains in detail how Intel has unlawfully maintained its monopoly in the x86 microprocessor market by engaging in worldwide coercion of customers from dealing with AMD. It identifies 38 companies that have been victims of coercion by Intel – including large scale computer-makers, small system-builders, wholesale distributors, and retailers, through seven types of illegality across three continents.
“Everywhere in the world, customers deserve freedom of choice and the benefits of innovation – and these are being stolen away in the microprocessor market,” said Hector Ruiz, AMD chairman of the board, president and chief executive officer. “Whether through higher prices from monopoly profits, fewer choices in the marketplace or barriers to innovation – people from Osaka to Frankfurt to Chicago pay the price in cash every day for Intel’s monopoly abuses.”
x86 microprocessors run the Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Linux families of operating systems. Even Apple, a pioneer of the PC and one of the industry’s enduring innovators, announced that it would switch exclusively to x86 processors to run Mac OS software beginning in 2006. Intel’s share of this critical market currently counts for about 80 percent of worldwide sales by unit volume and 90 percent by revenue, giving it entrenched monopoly ownership and super-dominant market power.
This litigation follows a recent ruling from the Fair Trade Commission of Japan (JFTC), which found that Intel abused its monopoly power to exclude fair and open competition, violating Section 3 of Japan’s Antimonopoly Act. These findings reveal that Intel deliberately engaged in illegal business practices to stop AMD’s increasing market share by imposing limitations on Japanese PC manufacturers. Intel did not contest these charges.
The European Commission has stated that it is pursuing an investigation against Intel for similar possible antitrust violations and is cooperating with the Japanese authorities.
“You don’t have to take our word for it when it comes to Intel’s abuses; the Japanese government condemned Intel for its exclusionary and illegal misconduct,” said Thomas M. McCoy, AMD executive vice president, legal affairs and chief administrative officer. “We encourage regulators around the world to take a close look at the market failure and consumer harm Intel’s business practices are causing in their nations. Intel maintains illegal monopoly profits at the expense of consumers and computer manufacturers, whose margins are razor thin. Now is the time for consumers and the industry worldwide to break free from the abusive Intel monopoly.”
The 48-page complaint, drafted after an intensive investigation by AMD’s lead outside counsel, Charles P. Diamond of O’Melveny & Myers LLP, details numerous examples of what Diamond describes as “a pervasive, global scheme to coerce Intel customers from freely dealing with AMD to the detriment of customers and consumers worldwide.” According to the complaint, Intel has unlawfully maintained its monopoly by, among other things:
* Forcing major customers such as Dell, Sony, Toshiba, Gateway, and Hitachi into Intel-exclusive deals in return for outright cash payments, discriminatory pricing or marketing subsidies conditioned on the exclusion of AMD;
o According to industry reports, and as confirmed by the JFTC in Japan, Intel has paid Dell and Toshiba huge sums not to do business with AMD.
o Intel paid Sony millions for exclusivity. AMD’s share of Sony’s business went from 23 percent in ‘02 to 8% in ‘03, to 0%, where it remains today.
* Forcing other major customers such as NEC, Acer, and Fujitsu into partial exclusivity agreements by conditioning rebates, allowances and market development funds (MDF) on customers’ agreement to severely limit or forego entirely purchases from AMD;
o Intel paid NEC several million dollars for caps on NEC’s purchases from AMD. Those caps assured Intel at least 90% of NEC’s business in Japan and imposed a worldwide cap on the amount of AMD business NEC could do.
* Establishing a system of discriminatory and retroactive incentives triggered by purchases at such high levels as to have the intended effect of denying customers the freedom to purchase any significant volume of processors from AMD;
o When AMD succeeded in getting on the HP retail roadmap for mobile computers, and its products sold well, Intel responded by withholding HP’s fourth quarter 2004 rebate check and refusing to waive HP’s failure to achieve its targeted rebate goal; it allowed HP to make up the shortfall in succeeding quarters by promising Intel at least 90% of HP’s mainstream retail business.
* Threatening retaliation against customers for introducing AMD computer platforms, particularly in strategic market segments such as commercial desktop;
o Then-Compaq CEO Michael Capellas said in 2000 that because of the volume of business given to AMD, Intel withheld delivery of critical server chips. Saying “he had a gun to his head,” he told AMD he had to stop buying.
o According to Gateway executives, their company has paid a high price for even its limited AMD dealings. They claim that Intel has “beaten them into ‘guacamole’” in retaliation.
* Establishing and enforcing quotas among key retailers such as Best Buy and Circuit City, effectively requiring them to stock overwhelmingly or exclusively, Intel computers, artificially limiting consumer choice;
o AMD has been entirely shut out from Media Markt, Europe’s largest computer retailer, which accounts for 35 percent of Germany’s retail sales.
o Office Depot declined to stock AMD-powered notebooks regardless of the amount of financial support AMD offered, citing the risk of retaliation.
* Forcing PC makers and tech partners to boycott AMD product launches or promotions;
o Then-Intel CEO Craig Barrett threatened Acer’s Chairman with “severe consequences” for supporting the AMD Athlon 64 launch. This coincided with an unexplained delay by Intel in providing $15-20M in market development funds owed to Acer. Acer withdrew from the launch in September 2003.
* Abusing its market power by forcing on the industry technical standards and products that have as their main purpose the handicapping of AMD in the marketplace.
o Intel denied AMD access to the highest level of membership for the Advanced DRAM technology consortium to limit AMD’s participation in critical industry standard decisions that would affect its business.
o Intel designed its compilers, which translate software programs into machine-readable language, to degrade a program’s performance if operated on a computer powered by an AMD microprocessor.
To view the full text of the complaint, visit http://www.amd.com/breakfree.
June 29th, 2005
Previous Posts