With CES upon us finding relevant –less than speculative- news is hard to come by this week. So, T6 is a bit shorter then most weeks but there were still some little nuggests to be found and listed here. I tend to avoid the Tradeshows stories which the mass media cover over hype quite well.
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-
* Wifi *
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-
A wireless boost for video at home
Truth be told, wireless media streaming has had its problems. Companies such as Linksys, Dell, and Sony have released products, and sales have stunk. Still, experts say new wireless technologies could make in-home wireless distribution more compelling.
Technologies likely to get the most buzz will be Wi-Fi and maybe even Wimax along with shorter range wireless technologies, such as ultra-wideband (UWB) and the new Wireless HD technology.
Most of the chatter around Wi-Fi will come from companies showing off products based on the emerging standard 802.11n. While the IEEE hasn't yet ratified the standard, the Wi-Fi Alliance is expected to certify equipment as pre-standard 802.11n later this year. Experts don't expect the standard, which has been batted around by different companies in the industry for more than a year, to change much from what the Wi-Fi Alliance certifies and what the IEEE ratifies in late 2007 or early 2008.
"When 802.11n is deployed well, it is a no-brainer for delivery of video," he said. "You don't have to worry about any old cable plant or circuit breakers that may impact transmission
http://news.com.com/A+wireless+boost+for+video+at+home/2100-1038_3-6107938.html?tag=nefd.lede
T6: Commentary: The Article goes on to mention UWB –( ultra Wide Band) products which have yet to have a standard set. What is most interesting about this push for wireless video transport is the new surge to promote WiMAX service. This would mean a step towards a centralized broadcast model as WiMax works off a City wide wireless network and not a hardwire into the house then your ‘localized’ wifi broadcast. While WiMAX has a big gun sponsor in Microsoft, it remains to be seen if other cities can implement such a system with the big cable companies fighting this as an attack on their market share. While end users may not be too concerned about attaching a XM radio sized antenna to their house, cable companies are jittery about hacking and illegal distribution of pirated signals. I still see the localized in-home network feed by IP as the most market ready – and while this means more headaches for tech support and IT network set up it is the most ready for mass-market installation.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Wi-Fi Alliance Program To Ease Security Setup For Consumers
The first wireless-networking products certified by the Wi-Fi Alliance as offering a simplified way for consumers to secure their networks will ship early in the first quarter
The Alliance’s optional certification standard, called Wi-Fi Protected Setup, “will make it easier for consumers to get the highest level of security
The standard will also reduce consumer frustration because the setup method will be standardized and will not vary by supplier
The intent is to encourage a broadening base of Wi-Fi consumers to use the government-grade security technology embedded in all alliance-certified products. “New Wi-Fi users are not as patient with setup modes
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6405590.html
T6 Commentary: Many manufactures have found the out-of –box setup via internal configuration files to be a huge time saver, which means the end user or even the installer can move on to other tasks and system tweaks. While I do like this idea it does have the effect of further distancing the setup person –(end user or installer) from the low level operational details. The end result of such knowledge gaps is more high-level diagnostic tools or more time with tech support to resolve conflicts. I realize this is akin to the ole’ DOS heads decrying a lack of tools and setup as windows progressed to win 3.1 and XP (Windows becoming more MAC like with every rev).
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-
* Format Wars *
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-_
Total HD to sway the DVD Wars
Warner Brothers, a division of Time Warner, will introduce a new disc called Total HD at CES in a couple of days. Total HD will be a single videodisc that can play films and television programs in both Blu-ray and HD-DVD formats.
The Executives at Time Warner hope to kickstart sales of new DVD players and movies by convincing studios to release their videos in both formats. Fox and Disney for example are supporting Blu-ray instead of HD-DVD.
http://www.dvrplayground.com/blog/5/14086/Total-HD-to-sway-the-DVD-Wars/;jsessionid=438E3FB442304F5B261B85C76ABC4E85
T6 Commentary: With the jury-(and end users staying on the sidelines) still out on which of the two competing formats will become the standard, and the two groups professing interoperability but getting nowhere this is the only tact content producers have. Hopefully you have a multi-format machine at home.
*********************************************************************************************************************
LG Launches World's First Dual-Format Blu-ray and HD DVD Player
LG Electronics announced what could become the first of many similar products -- a hybrid Blu-ray and HD-DVD all-in-one player.
Besides a set-top player, LG is also launching a Super Multi Blue drive capable of reading both HD formats. The two products marks first in the industry. The drive will be able to write to recordable Blu-ray discs in both single layer and dual-layer formats, stacking in roughly 25GB and 50GB respectively. The drives are fast too, being able to burn a single 25GB Blu-ray disc in about 25 minutes.
http://www.dailytech.com/article.aspx?newsid=5619&ref=y
T6 Commentary: There have been rumblings from several manufactures that are stepping out of the fray by producing ‘universal’ player for both formats in hopes of avoiding the eventual fall out from supporting only one format. This is also the end users preferred choice – if you buy a universal player for HD-DVD and Blu-Ray the end user can have HD Video and not worry about having invested $500 plus on a boat anchor.
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-
* Automation *
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-
CES 2007: Making Consumers Aware of Home Automation
the Mass-Market Home Controls panel discussion today, to hear 5 leaders from 5 different and in many cases, competing, home automation companies. The companies represented were Instamatic, Smartlabs, iControl, Superna, and Control 4
With the opening self-introductions, the panelists came out sounding like politicians as they plugged their products and technologies
They did agree that the uptake on HA needed to improve and that consumers simply were not aware that there are low-cost control systems available today. To paraphrase Control4's Eric Smith, "For much less than the price of a Plasma TV, you could be up and running with a smart home today."
http://gizmosforgeeks.com/index.php/articles/2879
T6 Commentary: 07 may just be the beachhead for mainstream home automation, I agree. The C4 comment of “For much less than the price of a Plasma TV, you could be up and running with a smart home today." But what really defines a ‘Smart Home’? is it X-10 and Insteon ? or is it Control 4 or Crestron ? While the mainstream market may explode the true definition of a ‘Smart Home’ is not so clear – it will depend on who is using the term and for what marketing purpose.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Where’s That Cabernet? Check the Virtual Cellar
Wine management software can produce an instant, detailed inventory of a collection and sort it, for instance, by grower, region or drink-by date. Newer programs can also provide wine scores and ratings, tasting notes from other drinkers, and, for those with an interest in wine as an investment, current market values.
To enjoy the convenience of a database, though, wine lovers must put up with the inconvenience of keying in the names of their wines and the number of each type when they buy them, and removing those entries after the bottles are emptied.
If the software has a well-stocked database, it will recognize the names of many wines after a few keystrokes and finish off the entry automatically, reducing the time spent. Bar code labels and scanners can also speed up the job of adding and removing wines from inventory.
Some wine management software is free — for instance, the system offered by Vinfolio, a Web-based company in San Francisco (www.vinfolio.com) that makes its money selling wine and related services like storage.
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/01/07/business/yourmoney/07novel.html?_r=1&ref=technology&oref=slogin
T6 Commentary: What e-sommelier not mentioned? The former PHAST people are not the favored system?
Yet another nice niche market application, which gets end users, all goose pimply about their ‘smart home’. This is exactly the type of thinking the author of ‘ The Long Tail – Why future of business is selling less of more”
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-
* New Media *
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-
Gates announces Windows Home Server
Microsoft is only just making details of its new Windows Home Server platform public, but one intriguing possibility is already on the table: letting geeks customise the basic operating system to build their own specialised media server and backup system.
Windows Home Server is essentially a souped up version of Vista, designed for use in houses which already have multiple PCs. It allows information to be securely shared between those PCs over WiFi links,
While the initial emphasis for Home Server will be on selling complete appliances like the HP Device -- some of which will have their own vendor-specific add-on software -- Microsoft officials said that the notion of selling the system direct to end users was also being considered.
http://apcstart.com/4950/windows_home_server
T6 Commentary: Obviously Mr. Gates and crew have been watching reruns of the ole’ Tech TV The screen savers show. While I still think the Windows Media Center will be the Mass Market winner but for the installer and add on license manufacture this is a great idea for the custom install market. Even better for the install dealer you could add on features and services as additional ROI with minimal fiddling about.
***************************************************************************************************
Sonos Adds Wireless Networking Of Protected Music Downloads
wired Ethernet Sonos’ DIY wireless multiroom audio system now lets consumers stream protected WMA downloads around the house from their PC, thanks to a software update.
The PC must use Windows Media Player 11 running on Windows XP or Vista PCs.
Sonos claims to be the first wireless multiroom-audio system to stream protected music downloads, although single-zone digital media adapters (DMPs) from at least one company, Roku, offers streaming of protected music files.
Up to 32 clients can be used in a home to create a wireless 32-zone multiroom audio system, but one must always be connected directly or via a connection to a PC.
http://www.twice.com/article/CA6405548.html
T6 Commentary: Sonos claims to be the first to have a wireless multiroom audio system to stream protected music – what about Apple I-Tunes and Apple Airport? Okay maybe I am splitting hairs here but the DRM issue is the playback software’s job not the wireless transport medium – no? Still more manufactures should be looking to include this feature --- or should they, see article below.
*********************************************************************************************************************
Who's Killing MP3 and ITunes?
Here are seven reasons why MP3 is the future of the music industry:
1. The labels don't have a choice
2. Apple might be forced into interoperability
3. Thomson has endorsed selling watermarked MP3s
4. Amazon is rumored to start selling MP3s by April
5.
6.
7. MP3 has future options
http://www.wired.com/news/columns/0,72412-1.html?tw=wn_story_page_next1
T6 Commentary: So say the gurus at Wired Magazine. Still it sounds a like wistful dreaming on the part of the FREE MUSIC NOW brigade. I am unaware of a business model which the record companies could make any money with out DRM protections. The Watermarking is an option but still too easy to get around.
*********************************************************************************************************************
TV on the Big and Tiny Screen
At the Consumer Electronics Show in Los Vegas, Sharp Corp. is showing off a 108-inch high-definition LCD television screen. But another company, Microvision, thinks bite-sized is better: It's unveiling a video projector for installation in your cell phone or Blackberry.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=6740155
http://www.technewsworld.com/story/MELRmwV8Q5S0TW/Netgear-Debuts-High-Def-Media-Receiver.xhtml T6 Commentary: There is an inverse proportion rule here, the more Phil Swan of Swani Sez states no one will want to watch video on such small screens, the greater the number of companies offering such services. American’s are mobile –(despite our image as flabby McDonald’s eating couch potatoes)- and we want to eat our grease burgers, watch beauty and the geek all whilst driving 85 mph down the highway in our 10 mpg SUV’s._-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_- * Memory * _-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-_ Hitachi Announces 1 Terabyte Hard Drive PairHitachi on Friday announced a pair of 1 terabyte (TB) hard drives and a new software technology targeted at digital video recording (DVR) applications. The one-two disk drive punch aims to tap into what the company sees as users' insatiable desire for storage.Hitachi's CinemaStar demonstrates how hard drive technology is finding its way into a broader range of applications, including embedded storage. The issue of speed of access to large volumes of memory will soon become a bigger issuehttp://www.technewsworld.com/story/55025.htmlT6 Commentary: Just the thing for my Windows Home Sever._-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_- _-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_- Samsung claims double-sided LCD | |
Samsung Electronics said Thursday (Jan. 4) it has developed an LCD panel that can produce independent images on either side of a mobile LCD display. Samsung claimed its new double-sided LCD can display two different pictures or sets of visual data simultaneously on the front and back of the same screen. Conventional double-sided LCDs can only show a reverse image of the same video data. The new LCD measures 2.6-mm thick and 2.22-inches wide, with QVGA (240 by 320 pixels) resolution and brightness values of 250 nits for the front and 100 nits for the rear display. It will be exhibited at this year's Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. | |
http://www.eetimes.com/news/latest/showArticle.jhtml;jsessionid=QBSJMDS2JFLGEQSNDLSCKHA?articleID=196800986
-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_
* Tech Arcane *
_-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-__-_-_-_-_-_-_
Scientists create molecule-size keypad lock
Scientists have created a keypad lock a single molecule in size. This lock only activates when exposed to the correct password, a sequence of chemicals and light.
Scientists can in principle design molecular keypad locks that accept any number of different inputs, for more complex devices that respond, say, only to long sequences of light pulses. "This opens up many new directions”
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/16369631/
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
`````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````````
T6 is now officially a real blog, Visit us at http://tuckerstuesday.typepad.com/ With full subscriptions, feedback commentary and quick links to some of my favorite sites.
You Think your original – until you meet someone like Robin the Hammer, my neighbor in Chinatown for so many years. Find more unexpected connections – subscribe to T6 today at http://feeds.feedburner.com/TuckersTuesdayTechnologyTidbitsAndTertiaryTrolling
While your at it listen to Robin’s Band- The Five Points Band, via their My Space presence. Once you have dug the tunes, (and hopefully laid down some cash for their swinging latest album) , send your relevant links today to Mailto:gtucker@crestron.com or leave them in the comments section for this issue at our blog.
All quoted material is the copyright of the respective sites and \ or authors- except were noted or comments are clearly mine.
All t6 commentary opinions expressed are mine alone and are not necessarily those of Crestron Electronics, its employees, associates or even their families. Just my big mouth
No comments:
Post a Comment